Mysuru’s promising teenage golfer Pranavi Urs came up with a stunning four-under 68 on the final day to retain her title in the second leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the TNGF Cosmo Golf Course here yesterday.
Having started three shots behind leader Hitaashee Bakshi, the 17-year-old Mysurean came up with a brilliant display on the back nine for a two-shot victory over the 16-year-old rookie. While Pranavi finished with a three-day total of four-under 212, Hitaashee (73) ended up with two-under 214, one ahead of last week’s winner, Ridhima Dilawari (71).
Pranavi did not have the best of starts, but found her rhythm and range by the time she walked up to the ninth tee. With bogeys on the second and sixth holes and a birdie on the par-3 fifth, set up by a fine 8-iron, the Mysuru golfer was still one over for the tournament. She nailed the flag on the par-3 ninth to get to even-par for the tournament.
Thereafter, there was no stopping Pranavi. She holed a 20-foot birdie putt on the 11th hole to take the lead for the first time.
Hitaashee, who bogeyed the sixth, seventh and 10th holes, levelled on the 13th hole.
However, Hitaashee’s bogey on the 14th gave Pranavi the lead and the Mysuru girl sealed the title with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes.
“It feels good to win and doubly great to retain my title,” said Pranavi Urs, who won at the very same course on her maiden start as a Pro last February.
A product of JWGC (Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Club)and a member who plays and practices for 8 hours everyday, Pranavi has done Mysuru proud by her feat. Presently, she is coached by Australian Steven Giuliano, who is based in Malaysia and trained at Invictus Bengaluru for her fitness and nutrition.
Pranavi Urs is the daughter of Kaivalya Urs and Sharath Chandra Raj Urs, residing at Lakshmipuram in Mysuru.
Incidentally, another Mysurean Paramjit Singh, R&A Certified Tournament Administrator and Gold Rules Official, was the tournament referee along with Sundar from Chennai.
The tournament was held under strict Covid restrictions and nobody except officials were allowed to walk on the golf course.
Final scores (after 54 holes)
212: Pranavi Urs (72, 72, 68); 214: Hitaashee Bakshi (71, 70, 73); 215: Ridhima Dilawari (75, 69, 71); 216: Jahanvi Bakshi (69, 75, 72); 218: Neha Tripathi (71, 78, 69), Oviya Reddi (73, 71, 74); 219: Sneha Singh (A, 72, 76, 71) and Avani Prashanth (A, 72, 72, 75).
This post was published on January 23, 2021 5:02 pm