Guntas Sandhu opens with 71 to lead Indian challenge at WAAP

Guntas Sandhu produced the best opening-round score among the four Indians at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) Championship, signing for a 1-under 71 to sit tied 17th after the first day at Royal Wellington.

Sandhu recovered well after an early bogey, mixing three birdies with one additional drop to finish under par and keep herself in touch with the early leaders.

Among the other Indians, Ananyaa Sood opened with a 74 to be tied 42nd, while Zara Anand (79) was tied 66th and debutant Jia Kataria (81) tied 75th.

At the top of the leaderboard, Korea’s Yunseo Yang surged into the lead with a stunning bogey-free 8-under 64. Two-under at the turn, the 18-year-old caught fire on the back nine with six birdies to set the early pace.

Hong Kong, China’s Arianna Lau is second on 7-under 65, with Korea’s Seojin Park third at 6-under.

Former US Women’s Amateur champion Rianne Malixi of the Philippines and Australia’s Jazy Roberts, fresh off victory at last week’s Australian Amateur Championship, share fourth place at 4-under 68.

With scoring conditions favourable and a tightly packed field, Sandhu’s strong start gives India an early foothold as the championship moves into round two.

Photo – WAAP