Diksha Dagar slipped outside the top 10 after a late stumble, carding a 1-under 72 to drop to tied 16th at 6-under through 36 holes at the Investec SA Women’s Open.
The 2019 champion, who opened with a 68, lost ground over the closing stretch with back-to-back bogeys on her final two holes, slipping five spots from her overnight tied 11th position.
Starting on the 10th, Diksha recovered well from an opening bogey with birdies on the 11th, 16th and 18th. On her second nine, she traded a bogey on the third with a birdie on the fifth before the late setbacks on the eighth and ninth halted her progress.
Pranavi Urs (73) was placed tied 43rd, while Avani Prashanth (71) squeezed into the weekend with a crucial late birdie. Avani picked up shots on the 11th and 14th and held steady on the back nine, with a birdie on the seventh (her 16th hole) proving decisive in making the cut.
Vani Kapoor, Tvesa Malik and Hitaashee Bakshi missed the cut.
At the top, Slovenia’s Pia Babnik surged into a three-shot lead at 14-under after a 6-under 67. Despite an early bogey, she responded with nine birdies, including back-to-back bursts on both nines, to take control heading into the weekend.
England’s Cara Gainer sits second at 11-under after a 68, with compatriot Esme Hamilton one shot further back in third following a 70.
What it means: Diksha remains in contention but will rue the late slip on a low-scoring leaderboard.
What’s next: Moving day will be key as the chasing pack looks to close the gap on Babnik.
Photo – LET
