Diksha Dagar opened with a 3-under 69 to emerge as the best-placed Indian after the first round of the Australian Women’s Classic on the Ladies European Tour at Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club.
Despite an early setback, Diksha recovered well to finish under par and position herself among the early contenders. Starting on the back nine, she bogeyed her opening hole but responded with three birdies over the next four holes to move into red figures. After another bogey at the 18th, she steadied herself on the front nine and added two more birdies to complete a solid opening round.
At the top of the leaderboard, Czech Republic’s Sara Kouskova produced a sensational 8-under 64 to set a new course record at Magenta Shores. The two-time Ladies European Tour winner delivered a flawless round with eight birdies and no bogeys to take a two-shot lead.
Kouskova’s accuracy proved decisive as she hit all 18 greens in regulation and missed just one fairway during the round.
Three players share second place at 6-under: New Zealand’s Momoka Kobori, Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea and Australia’s Kelsey Bennett. Kobori made an early charge with a blistering opening nine of 30.
Among the other Indians, Pranavi Urs opened with an even-par 72 to sit tied 52nd after a mixed round that included two birdies, an eagle, a bogey and a double bogey.
Avani Prashanth struggled to find rhythm and carded a 5-over 77, while Hitaashee Bakshi endured a difficult day and signed for an 82.
Five players share fifth place at 5-under after the opening round, including Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab and Sasikarn Somboonsup, France’s Celine Herbin, Denmark’s Sofie Kibsgaard and Austria’s Katharina Muehlbauer.
With one round complete, Diksha leads the Indian challenge as the tournament heads into the second day in New South Wales.
Photo – LET
