Aditi and Tvesa. File: Courtesy LET
KAEC, Saudi, Nov 5: It was a rather modest start for the Indian trio in the first round of the Aramco Saudi Ladies International. On a day when play was delayed by an hour due to morning fog at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, Aditi Ashok (73) was the leading Indian at T-40th, while Tvesa Malik and Diksha Dagar carded 2-over 74 each and were T-53rd.
Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko shared the lead after the opening day. Both shot 5-under 67 and led by one.
Aditi had two birdies against three bogeys, while Tvesa Malik failed to land any birdies against four bogeys, but she did have an eagle on Par-5 13th. Dagar had three bogeys against one birdie.
number seven Ko, who began her round on the 10th tee, took advantage of the morning conditions carding six birdies and one bogey for a round of 67 (-5) to post the best score. The two-time Major winner put on a fine display of iron play and it helped her ensure a solid start.
From the afternoon groups, it was three-time Solheim Cup winner Ciganda who climbed to the top of the standings. Ciganda, a four-time winner on the LET, got off to a stunning start with six birdies and one bogey on her front nine to make the turn in 31. With the wind picking up in her final nine holes, Ciganda dropped a shot on the 17th but birdied 18th to also finish on five-under-par.
Three players are in a share of third place including Swedish duo Johanna Gustavsson and Linnea Strom, who both shot rounds of 68 (-4). The Swedish duo are joined by Switzerland’s Kim Metraux.
