Amandeep takes first round lead in South India golf

Bangalore - Amandeep Drall surprised her better known rivals to register the best card of the day at one-over 73 in the Usha Southern India Ladies golf event here Tuesday.

Amandeep, 19, who won the two-day strokeplay segment of the All India Amateur late last year, was one ahead of Gurbani Singh and Millie Saroha, who carded 74 each.

Another stroke behind in fourth place was Aditi Ashok (75) and Raksha Phadke (76) was lying fifth. Defending champion Mehar Atwal (77) was sixth and Gauri Monga (78) was seventh.

Amandeep, who plays at the Shivalik Golf Course in Chandigarh, had an awful start with four bogeys in the first seven holes but then three birdies in a row from eighth to tenth saw her fight back in the round. She had one more bogey and birdie before ending up at 73.

Gurbani had two birdies and four bogeys, while Millie Saroha had two bogeys on the front and no birdies. On the back nine she had nine straight pars for a round of 74.

Amandeep led the overall Ladies category, while Gurbani and Millie led Category A (Under-18), while Aditi led Category B at 75. Tanrika Singh and Riya Ahuja led Category C with cards of 91 each and Vasundhara Tihara led Category D, also with 91.

There are more than 60 players in the field and they include ladies and junior golfers.