It was a difficult opening day for the Indian contingent at the Ford Women’s NSW Open, with Hitaashee Bakshi emerging as the best-placed among them after the first round.
Bakshi carded a 1-over 73 to sit tied 48th as challenging conditions and a flooded course disrupted play at Wollongong Golf Club. The opening round, which began on Thursday, had to be suspended due to the waterlogged course before being completed on Friday.
Pranavi Urs was a shot further back after posting a 3-over 74. Diksha Dagar struggled to find rhythm and returned a 77 to be tied 103rd, while Avani Prashanth endured a tough day with an 80 that left her tied 126th.
At the top of the leaderboard after the first round were Australia’s Hannah Reeves and Kelsey Bennett, both of whom shot 7-under 65.
However, Irish rookie Aine Donegan surged into the lead after producing a sensational second-round 8-under 63. The round lifted her to the top of the leaderboard by two shots as more than half the field was still completing 36 holes. None of the Indians had started their second rounds at that stage.
Donegan’s strong performance came in her first start as a Ladies European Tour member. She followed up an opening 68 with the brilliant 63 to take control of the tournament.
Australia’s Sarah Kemp also made a strong move with a 7-under 64 to reach 9-under overall, two shots behind the leader. The 40-year-old delivered an impressive effort while playing 36 holes in a day and just weeks after returning from knee surgery following a serious accident two years ago.
Despite improving weather conditions, the course remained soft, making scoring conditions unpredictable as the event progressed.
Photo – LET
