Ridhima Dilawari was the toast of the Indian contingent when she returned a card of 3-under 69 to be placed tied fifth after the first round of the Women’s Indian Open 2018 golf tournament.

 

 

 

 

                                     Ridhima Dilawari hit three birdies in last four holes

 

 

The 20-year-old, who is playing only her second event as a professional, is three behind the leader, Norwegian Tonje Daffinrud (66).

 

 

Dilawari, who played at Asian Games in September as an amateur, turned pro three weeks ago and played just one event on the domestic Tour. She led for two days but ended T-4th on the third and final day.

 

With three birdies in last four holes, including the tough 18th, Ridhima was the best Indian. 

 

The next best Indian was Gaurika Bishnoi (71) at T-11th while Tvesa Malik, Afshan Fatima and amateur Sifat Sagoo, all with 72, were T-18.

 

 

Norwegian star Tonje Daffinrud sizzled at the finish with a hat-trick of birdies to separate herself from the rest of the field and open up a handy two-shot lead on the first day of the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2018. Daffinrud is hoping to emulate fellow Norwegian Emily Pedersen, who won in 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

                                Norwegian star Tonje Daffinrud sizzled at the finish with a hat-trick of birdies

 

 

Daffinrud, who was also hit by injury in 2015, has had a best LET finish of T-6 in the Victorian Open in 2017.

 

Daffinrud has never broken par at this course and her best finish has been T-40th in 2015. She missed the cut last two years. So, expectedly, she was elated and said, “I’m really happy with that. I’ve never shot under par on this course before and to make quite a lot of birdies and not many mistakes was a really good day.”

 

 

 

 

Daffinrud’s 6-under 66 was the lowest first-round score at the DLF Golf & Country Club since the pairs of 66s by Swede Pernilla Lindberg and Thai Nontaya Srisawang in 2011, but those cards came at the Arnold Palmer course.

 

 

Many as 120 players from over 30 countries are vying for the coveted trophy and the highest-ever prize purse of US $500,000.

 

Talking about the 17th, where she got a birdie, Daffinrud said, “It’s a hole where you almost want to close your eyes while you play it. I hit it close, to two metres, made the putt. I lowered my shoulders after that and went for it. There are three more days but I had a great start today, so I’m excited about tomorrow.”

 

In the morning, Thailand’s Pannarat shot a bogey-free four-under-par 68 in hot and humid conditions to take a two shot clubhouse lead. The 20-year-old from Roi Et in Northeast Thailand has been a pro on the LPGA for three years and she knocked down four birdies without any bogeys on her tournament debut.

 

Pannarat, the 2016 Thailand Ladies Masters champion made her first birdie at the par-5 eighth, where she chipped to six feet and made the putt. She also birdied from 15 feet at the 11th and 12th, before tapping in the par-5 18th hole.

 

She said: “This course is pretty tough, so you have to stick to the plan and stay patient. You need to hit the fairways and greens and hit the right part of the green and try to make two putts. Par is good enough for the course.”