Avani Prashanth scripts history at Queen Sirikit Cup

Avani Prashanth created history by becoming the first Indian winner of the 43^rd Queen Sirikit Cup in the Philippines on Friday.

The Bangalore teenager’s sterling score also carried the Indian team to a never-before second place in the prestigious competition for the Asia-Pacific region.

Avani returned a four-day aggregate of 16-under 272 (68-66-70-68), a record-breaking 10 shots ahead of second placed New Zealander Fiona Xu (six-under 282).

Rianne Mikhaela Malixi (68-73-68-74) of the Philippines and Korea’s Hyunjo Yoo (70-71-71-71) finished tied for third place on five-under 283 at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.

Avani said, “I feel great. It’s been a long-awaited win and I’m excited for what the rest of the year holds.

“It’s a little frustrating that I won’t be going to Augusta this year, but I’ll hope to make it there in 2024.

“I’m just happy to get this win and I hope I can carry this form into the WAAP (Women’s Asia Pacific Amateur Championship).”

The 16-year-old, who is 97th on the World Amateur Golf Rankings  either led or held a share of top spot all the way and closed out her blazing run in Manila appropriately with a birdie.

Thanks to her scores, India rode to a first silver medal in the regional amateur championship with team-mates Vidhatri Urs and Nishna Patel making up the squad.

While Mysore-based Vidhatri (74-77-72-74) finished tied for 19^th Nishna was further down the order in shared 30^th place with rounds of 80, 78, 74 and 75.

India were second behind the powerful Koreans who needed all their firepower to edge out the challengers with a 12-under 564 total.

India aggregated seven-under 571, while Japan were third a further four shots behind.

The field at Manila included reigning WAAP champion Tiffany Huang Ting-hsuan of Taiwan, world’s fifth ranked Japanese Yuna Araki, 15^th ranked Mizuki Hashimoto of Japan and Korean Minsol Kim, world ranked 16^th.

On Thursday, a late rally helped keep the Koreans in the race for the top spot with the two best cards of 71 and 73 just two shots ahead of India.