Jasmine Shekar recovered from a difficult start and birdied the final hole to claim a one-shot lead after the second round of the 14th leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at Rambagh Golf Club in Jaipur.
The 20-year-old followed her opening 74 with an even-par 70 to reach four-over 144. She heads into the final round narrowly ahead of Vani Kapoor, rankings leader Ridhima Dilawari and Durga Nittur, who share second place at five-over 145.
Jasmine dropped three shots over her first six holes but gradually repaired the damage. Birdies on the eighth and 14th brought her back towards level par before her closing gain secured the outright lead.
Vani, runner-up at the Hero Women’s Indian Open last month, also carded a 70. She offset her only bogey, on the seventh, with a birdie at the 14th to climb from tied 12th into contention.
Four-time winner Ridhima remained firmly in the title race following a 71 containing three birdies and four bogeys. Durga added a 72 to her opening 73, completing a tightly packed group of experienced challengers.
Overnight co-leader Ananya Datar slipped to fifth after a 75 but remains only two strokes off the pace at 146.
Thirteen-year-old amateur Ojaswini Saraswat, who shared the first-round lead, returned a 76 to occupy sixth place at 147. Riya Jadon was seventh at 148, one stroke ahead of Lavanya Jadon and Shweta Mansingh.
Only three shots separate the leading six players, leaving the tournament finely poised for Saturday’s final round.
Photo – WGAI
