Golf: Sneha hopes to carry momentum into 12th Leg of Women’s Pro Golf Tour

Bengaluru, Aug 11 (IANS) Sneha Singh, who had to fight hard to end a long winless period last week, will be hoping to take that confidence into the 12th Leg of the Women's Professional Golf Tour (WPGT) as she faces a strong field once again this week at the Prestige Golfshire, situated at the foothills of the scenic Nandi Hills. 

Sneha’s major rivals this week will include Vani Kapoor, who lost the play-off a week ago, Vidhatri Urs, Order of Merit leader Ridhima Dilawari, Amandeep Drall, a former runner-up at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, Durga Nittur, Heena Kang, Mannat Brar, Anvitha Narender and Jasmine Shekar, among others.

Also back this week is Saanvi Somu, who has been gaining a lot of experience on the Ladies Access Tour in Europe.

Sneha’s big task will be to maintain consistency and ensure that this return to form is part of a bigger build-up.

The field of 52 players has eight amateurs, including young Ayesha Gupta, who gave a good account of herself in Leg 11. Almost all top stars, who are regulars on the domestic Tour, will be in action, barring Tvesa Malik.

The prize purse once again is Rs.17 lakhs, with the cut coming in after two rounds.

The Order of Merit leader is Ridhima, who has won three times this season and is the only multiple winner. She is followed by Jasmine Shekar, Vani Kapoor, Amandeep Drall and Vidhatri Urs on the Money List. Of the top five, only Amandeep is yet to taste victory this season.

Earlier, Sneha Singh, who ran up a six-shot lead with six holes to go, squandered the entire lead and was taken to the play-off, where she edged aside the seasoned Vani Kapoor to win the 11th Leg of the Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Clover Greens in Hosur.

Sneha, who had stunned the field with a 10-under round on the second day, shot 5-over 76 on the final day before winning on the first play-off hole. Sneha and Vani totalled 3-under 210 in regulation play. Sneha ended a 18-month title drought to get back into the winning circle for the first time since February 2025.

Sneha (73-61-76) played the final round with Vani Kapoor (67-71-72), who trailed her by four shots at the start of the third day, and Nayanika Sanga (72-68-71), who was six behind.

Sneha seemed to struggle in the final round as she started with a bogey and had no birdies for the next eight holes. With Vani carding a double bogey and a bogey, and Nayanika also faltering with two bogeys and unable to find birdies, Sneha’s lead was stretched. When Sneha birdied the tenth hole, she moved further ahead.

After 12 holes in the final round, Sneha seemed to have sewn up the title as she opened a six-shot lead over the field. Sneha and Nayanika birdied the 10th, but Vani picked up a birdie on the 11th.

Then came a major twist. Nayanika had back-to-back birdies on the 13th and the 14th, but Sneha gave away two double bogeys on the same holes. Vani also birdied the 13th to join Nayanika at 3-under total, and Sneha was now just one shot ahead at 4-under. At that stage, Sneha’s lead was down to just one shot over Nayanika and Vani.

--IANS

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