Astha leads in Usha Southern India Ladies golf

Bengaluru: Astha Madan carded an even-par 72 to start her campaign on a confident note in the Usha Southern India Ladies golf tournament, here on Monday.

Continuing her strong progress on the Usha IGU Ladies circuit this season, Astha Madan made a superb start as she had four birdies, including three in a row from 10th to 12th, at the 6118-yard KGA Course. Astha, fourth at last weeks Usha Karnataka Ladies golf, had contrasting fortunes on the two parts of the course. On the front nine, she was three-over with bogeys on fifth, seventh and eighth, while she birdied 10th, 11th and 12th and again the 15th, before a bogey on 18th. Amrita Anand, who also competes for honours in Category B, was lying second with a card 73 and she shared the place with Gauri Monga, who was third last week. Three players Tvesa Malik, Gursimar Badwal and Raksha Phadke shared the fourth place with rounds of 74 each. One of the surprises of the first round was the performance of Gurbani Singh, winner of both the events in Ladies section so far. Gurbani, winner of the Usha Army Ladies event and Usha Karnataka Open, shot 75 to be tied ninth, while Aditi Ashok, who was runner-up to Gurbani on both occasions was 10th with a card of 76. Both Amrita and Gauri had two birdies and three bogeys each. Gurbani and Aditi also had two birdies each, but dropped a bunch of bogeys to fall behind. Astha (72) and Tvesa (74) led the field in Category A, while Amrita (73) and Sachika Singh (80) led the Category B. In Category C, Sifat Sagoo was in the lead with a round of 83, while Sahana Parvantavida was second at 87. PTI