Rookie Jasmine Shekar challenges top names at RCGC

Jasmine Shekar - TheGolfingHub
Jasmine Shekar shares the lead with favourite Amandeep Drall (70-75) who had a rough time in the middle of the second round.

Bengaluru teen Jasmine Shekar, playing only her third event as a pro, moved into shared lead with one round to go in the third leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club. Jasmine, who opened the tournament with a first round of even par 72, added a solid 1-over 73 in the second round.

Jasmine now shares the lead with favourite Amandeep Drall (70-75) who had a rough time in the middle of the second round.

Related: Amandeep Drall off to flying start at Royal Calcutta Golf Club

Another rookie, Kriti Chowhan (75-71) carded one of the only two under par rounds of the day to move into sole third place. Sneha Singh, who disappointed on the first day with 77, was the best of the second day with 2-under 70 and was tied fourth alongside Khushi Khanijau (75-72).

Seher Atwal, winner of the first leg on the Hero WPGT 2023, was tied sixth with amateur Saanvi Somu (73-76).

Jasmine, who has on a few occasions played the Hero WPG Tour as an amateur, had just one bogey and 17 pars. It was a creditable round that gave an indication of her solid play.

Amandeep opened with a birdie on the second but ran into problems towards the end of the front nine of the RCGC, as she bogeyed three times in a row from seventh to ninth. Further bogeys on the 13th and 17th with a birdie in between on 15th meant she finished the day with 75 but still had a share of the lead.

Kriti, who did not play in the first two events, had as many as five birdies but she also gave away two bogeys and a double bogey in her round of 71.

Sneha had four birdies against two bogeys, while Khushi had two each of birdies and bogeys.