Pranavi stays ahead on tough scoring day

Bengaluru: The blustery conditions and the intermittent rain made scoring tough on the second day of the ninth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Bangalore Golf Club here on Thursday.
Only one golfer out of the 31 in the fray could submit an even-par card. Overnight leader Pranavi Urs, despite battling the elements, shot a two-over 71 to open up a three-shot lead over Seher Atwal (73).Pranavi took her two-day total to even-par 138.
Hitaashee Bakshi, a two-time winner this season, shot one-over 70 to stay two shots behind Seher and one ahead of Nayanika Sanga, who shot an even-par 69 on the day.
Barring the sixth hole, Order of Merit leader Pranavi struggled with her approaches, and although she gave herself a few chances, the 19-year-old was a unlucky on the greens, missing a clutch of birdie putts.
The lone birdie came on the par-4 sixth hole, where she hit her approach to five feet and sank that putt. She dropped shots on the eighth, where she duffed her chip and left it short, and the ninth, where she missed a four-footer for par.
After seven straight pars, Pranavi missed a simple two-foot putt to drop another shot. The Mysuru pro said that keeping the ball in play would be the key on the final day.
Seher, who had an off day like most pros, needs to find her ‘A’ game if she is to take the fight to Pranavi. The 23-year-old, who won in her rookie season last year, will be hoping to work her magic. Hitaashee, five behind but capable of shooting a low score, too will fancy her chances.
Leading scores (after 36 holes): 138: Pranavi Urs (67, 71); 141: Seher Atwal (68, 73); 143: Hitaashee Bakshi (73, 70); 146: Nayanika Sanga (77, 69); 147: Sneha Singh (72, 75); 148: Gaurika Bishnoi (76, 72), Ananya Datar (74, 74).