Avani Prashanth
Melbourne, Jan 11: Avani Prashanth had a tough third round but hung onto the shared second place after three days in the Australian Masters of Amateurs in Southern Golf Club.
Avani, who shared the second place with two others at 3-under 213, was four shots behind the new leader, Lion Higo from Gold Coast, Australia. Higo who plays US College golf in Pepperdine, had played rounds of 71-71-70
Avani, ranked 50th in the world, and one of the top contenders for the title shot 71 and 68 on the first two days and 77 in the third, but still managed to be in second place with Rianne Malixi of the Philippines, who
shot 1-over 74 in the third round after 70-72 in the first two days, Malixi rose from third to tied second at 3-under 143.
The third player in the tie for second place was Nika Ito of Japan, who led for first two rounds, and then crashed to 5-over 78. She had rounds of 68-70 on the first two days.
Needing a fast start to make a bid for the lead, Avani struggled early on with bogeys on first and third and she became 3-over after six holes. Things turned worse with a fourth bogey on 12th,. She attempted a comeback with two birdies on 13th and the 15th but two bogeys on the 14th and 18th saw her finish the day at 4-over 77.
Overall, the Indian amateur star has played well, but was unable to keep the momentum going despite some excellent play on the first two days. On the third day, she was down from the start. She has one more round to make a bid to add to her international laurels.
Heena Kang had a rough international debut as she ended with a final round of 83 and missed the cut, which was applied after three days. The top-33 and ties will play the fourth and final round.
Among men, Rohit Narwal shot 73 after 76-70 and missed the cut as did Sandeep Yadav (84-74-75). The Top-45 and ties will play the final round in men’s section.
The lead in the men’s section was shared by Scotland’s Oliver. Mukherjee (69-70-66) and Max Moring (67-67-71) at 11-under 205. New Zealand’s Zackary Swanwick (67-67-72) was lying third at 10-under 206.
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