Avani Prashanth wins 11th leg of Hero WPGT by a single shot

Avani Prashanth wins 11th leg of Hero WPGT by a single shot

Amateur Avani defeated Amandeep Drall by one-stroke to win the eleventh leg of Hero WPGT.

The calm and composed Avani posted an even-par final round to grab her second win of the season at the Panchkula Golf Club.

Three players, Pranavi Urs (76), Jahanvi Bakshi (73) and Vani Kapoor (73), were tied for third place at 4-over 219. Seher Atwal (75) was sixth at 221, and Rhea Jha (73) was seventh.

Saaniya Sharma, amateur Kriti Chowhan and Hitaashee Bakshi occupied the eighth to 10th places.

Starting the final day one shot behind Avani, the experienced Amandeep bridged that narrow gap with a birdie on the second hole. However, a dropped shot on Par-5 fifth gave the lead back to Avani, who parred the first six holes.

Amandeep Drall and Avani Prashanth
Amandeep Drall and Avani Prashanth

Avani landed her first birdie on the seventh but gave away that gain on the next hole. So, when the players reached the turn, Avani was still one ahead. The others had been way behind, and the contest was now between Avani and Amandeep.

On the back nine, while Avani birdied 11th and 12th, Amandeep birdied 11th and bogeyed 12th. That meant Avani was now three shots clear.

There was another twist as Avani dropped shots on Par-3 13th and Par-4 15th, while Amandeep birdied 15th to pull level with the young amateur.

With two holes left, it was now about holding nerves. Amandeep bogeyed the 17th, while Avani parred the 17th and 18th and won the title.

Pranavi had a disappointing final day as she bogeyed first and then double-bogeyed Par-5 seventh. On the back nine, she had three bogeys in a row on 15th, 16th and 17th. Her two birdies of the day were on fifth and sixth as she carded 76 and fell into a tie for third with Vani Kapoor and Jahanvi.