Diksha Dagar leads Indian challenge at Aramco China Championship

Diksha Dagar made a steady start with a 1-under 72 to finish as the best-placed Indian after the opening round of the Aramco China Championship. Returning to action after a short break following the Hero Women’s Indian Open, Dagar ended the day tied for 42nd.

Pranavi Urs followed with an even-par 73 to sit tied 57th, while Tvesa Malik and Avani Prashanth posted identical 1-over 74s to share 75th place.

At the top, Sweden’s Moa Folke fired a flawless 6-under 67 featuring four birdies and an eagle to take a one-shot lead. England’s Alice Hewson, Thailand’s Aunchisa Utama, and Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck were close behind at 5-under 68.

Starting on the front nine, Dagar mixed four birdies with three bogeys — picking up shots on the sixth, seventh, 11th, and 13th, while dropping them on the second, 10th, and 12th.

Pranavi began brightly with three straight birdies on her opening holes but stumbled late with a bogey on 17 and a double on 18 to finish level par. Order of Merit leader Shannon Tan of Singapore also shot 73, joining Pranavi in a tie for 57th after a round of three birdies and three bogeys.

Photo – Diksha Dagar/LET