Avani climbs into Jabra Open top 10 as Diksha stays in the running

Bangalore teenager Avani Prashanth made a strong recovery on day two of the Jabra Ladies Open De France to climb into the top 10 at Évian-les-Bains on Friday. Image courtesy LET.

By Rahul Banerji

Avani Prashanth bounced back from an indifferent opening round to hold a top 10 spot after day two of the Jabra Ladies Open De France at Évian-les-Bains on Friday.

That gave India two players in the top 10 heading into the final round of the event with Diksha Dagar in contention as well.

Tied for second overnight, Diksha shot a 1 over par 72 to go with her opening 67 and was tied for sixth on 3 under 139, six strokes behind new leader Helen Briem of Germany (69-65, 8 under 134).

For her part, Avani recovered from her first day’s 75 with a 3 under 68 that saw her into a share of ninth place on 2 under 140, suggesting both Indians are in line for a strong finish.

Diksha began her second round on the 15th tee, one of the two starting points used at the Evian Resort Golf Club. 

Unlike her 67 on Thursday, the second round more challenging and she struggled to find momentum.

The left-hander dropped an early shot to turn on 1 over-par. Another bogey dropped Diksha further behind the leaders before she finally found some rhythm with two birdies.

Set to salvage a level par round, a late bogey pushed the two-time LET winner back to one-over for the day. All three of her bogeys came on holes where she failed to hit the green in regulation.

Productive day

Starting alongside Diksha, Avani enjoyed a much more productive day. She picked up a shot early and made steady gains through the middle portion of her round.

The Bangalore golfer added birdies on holes six, seven and eight that saw her climb into the top 10. 

A lone bogey notwithstanding, Avani’s 68 was enough to erase the disappointment of the opening day and put her firmly in contention for a productive finish.

The other two Indians in the field, Pranavi Urs and Hitaashee Bakshi, were unable to make it to the weekend. 

Pranavi followed her opening 75 with a 73 to finish on 6 over while Hitaashee added a 78 to her first round 79 as the cut fell at 4 over par.

Briem seized control with a brilliant 65 that put the German in position to push for a second Ladies European Tour title on 8 under 134 and a three-shot lead.

“I would say my putter was really good today,” LPGA rookie Briem said on the LET website. “I had many chances and I used many of them, so that was really good.

Great event

“I could have played on the LPGA this weekend, but I decided to play here, it’s very close to home and a great area. There’s great food and it’s great playing this event. We will see what happens tomorrow.

“It’s been a while since I have last been in contention, I am really happy about that. 

“I know what I can do. Plan is basically fairway, green and then just try to make your putt and that’s what I’m trying to do and focus tomorrow and we’ll see.”

Ireland’s Sara Byrne, Norway’s first-round leader Dorothea Forbrigd and Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck shared second place on 5 under 137.

The battle behind Briem is wide open, and both Diksha and Avani will look to finish the week strongly.

Also read: Diksha Dagar makes a flying start at Jabra Ladies Open

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