Bengaluru: Pranavi Urs of Mysuru is among the Karnataka golfers who have topped the Asian Games trials to make it to the Indian team.

Known for churning out promising golfers over the past few decades, Karnataka stamped its authority in the sport once again yesterday when Pranavi Urs, Avani Prashanth and Khalin Joshi made it to the team.

In the battle of two State-mates, the rising stars — Mysuru’s Pranavi and Bengaluru’s Avani — finished with a similar three-day total of 10-under 206 to top the event at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in Kolkata.

Pranavi, who ended 2022 as the No. 1 pro on the Indian tour, and Avani, India’s No. 1 women’s amateur, will join their more experienced State-mate, Aditi Ashok. India’s highest-ranked women’s professional, Aditi, qualified automatically to make it an all-Karnataka women’s team to represent the country at the quadrennial event.

While 20-year-old Pranavi carded a 3-under 69 that had six birdies and three bogeys, 16-year-old Avani made five birdies, a double-bogey and one bogey for a 2-under 70.

“I had to pull out of the trials last year due to a shoulder injury,” said Pranavi adding, “I’m glad I got a second chance. To make it to the Indian team comprising three Karnataka girls feels even better. Avani and I were focused on making this happen even before  coming here.” 

There was more cheer for the State in the men’s draw as Bengaluru golfer Khalin held his nerve to shoot a closing round 4-under 68 to book his place in the Indian squad.

Bengal’s S.S.P Chawrasia, who played at the 2016 Rio Olympics, with a third-round score of 68 finished two shots behind to end as runner-up and seal the other available spot in the team.

Khalin and Chawrasia will join Anirban Lahiri, who calls Bengaluru his adopted home, and Chandigarh’s Shubhankar Sharma — both getting a direct entry to the Indian side — in the men’s squad.

For Pranavi and Avani, it will be their maiden experience of a multi-sporting event on the world stage. But the presence of LPGA Tour player and double-Olympian Aditi, who narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal in Tokyo, will make a formidable team of youngsters capable of finishing among the medallists.