Pranavi Urs produced the standout Indian performance on the second day of the Asian Games golf competition, firing a bogey-free seven-under 63 to move within two strokes of the women’s individual lead at Kasugai Country Club.
The 23-year-old, who opened with a 66, reached 11-under 129 and remained alone in second place behind Singapore’s Shannon Tan, who leads at 13-under heading into the final 36 holes.
Pranavi began quickly, holing a 20-foot birdie putt and collecting four gains over her first six holes. She added three more birdies during a four-hole stretch on the back nine to complete the lowest round of the day.
“The game was pretty solid from tee to green. I didn’t really have any bad shots,” Pranavi said. “I put myself in good positions off the tee, which gave me good numbers for the approach shots. Hitting fairways and greens has always been my game plan.”
Her 63 also lifted India into third place in the women’s team competition at seven-under 273, five strokes behind joint leaders China and Singapore.
Diksha Dagar slipped to tied 21st at four-over 144 after a 73, while Aditi Ashok was tied 25th at five-over 145 following a 74.
Pranavi will play in the final group on Friday as she pursues her first Asian Games medal and builds towards the Hero Women’s Indian Open later this month.
“Unfortunately, there haven’t been many times when I’ve been in contention on Tour, so to get this momentum going towards the Indian Open is a good sign,” she said. “I’m not thinking about anything else right now—just tomorrow’s round.”
In the men’s competition, Saptak Talwar added a two-under 68 to his opening 66 and shared seventh place at six-under 134, three shots behind co-leaders Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei and China’s Wenyi Ding.
The current DP World PGTI Order of Merit leader made five birdies and three bogeys.
Veer Ahlawat improved with a 68 to share 16th at one-under 139, while Yuvraj Sandhu’s 69 left him tied 22nd at even-par 140.
India remained fifth in the men’s team event at seven-under 273. Japan led at 16-under 264, followed by China at 265, Korea at 266 and Chinese Taipei at 269.
Photo – LET
