Jamshedpur: Amandeep Drall of Chandigarh upstaged the Indian team players to take the first round lead at the Usha Eastern India Ladies Golf Championships on Friday. Amandeep, still looking for her maiden win this season, shot three-over 74 at the par-71 Golmuri Golf Club course.

She was one shot ahead of Raksha Phadke and Usha Northern India winner, Millie Saroha, who shot 75 each. And behind them came the three girls, who did duty for the National team at the World Amateur Team championships in Turkey last week. Winner of Usha Southern India title this year, Gurbani, who was the best Indian in Turkey, was lying fourth with a round of 76, while a tire Aditi Ashok carded 77 and was fifth. Gursimar Badwal, the third member of the Indian team carded 81 and was tied eighth.

Amandeep had just one birdie, but she was steadier than the rest and dropped two bogeys each on front and back nines. Raksha and Millie had two birdies each, while Aditi had just one birdie on the 18th.

In Category A, Raksha Phadke and Millie shared the lead at 75 each, while Aditi Ashok (77) was the topper in Category B and she was followed by Ridhima Dilawari (79).

In Category C, Riya Ahuja (83) led the field, while Arshia Mahant (89) was second. In Category D, Tanishka Kumar (84) led second-placed Vasundhara Tihara (89) by five shots.

Usha, a major supporter of Indian golf, is proud of its long-term association with the sport, covering the entire spectrum of the game. Usha has been associated with ladies golf for over 25 years, and today is the nationwide sponsor of the entire Indian Golf Union (IGU) Ladies Tour. In addition, Usha is committed to supporting golf at the Juniors level, sponsoring IGU Junior tournaments in Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh, and is closely associated with the Junior Training Program (JTP) at the Delhi Golf Club.

By Indian Sports News