New Delhi: Gurbani Singh, currently third on the IGU Order of Merit for Ladies took the opening round honours in the Usha DGC Ladies Open as she carded a two-over 74 and took a one-shot lead over Vidushi SInha (75) and was three ahead of Millie Saroha (77).

Vani Kapoor, the leader on the Merit List, was very unfortunate to be disqualified as she teed off from the wrong tee area and learnt about it only later. She and four others who did likewise were disqualified. Apart from Vani, Tavleen Batra, Afsan Fathima, Ridhima Dilawari and Sehar Atwal were scratched at the Delhi Golf Club.

Aditi Ashok and Vrinda Yadav shot 78 each and were tied for fourth.

The disqualification of Vani and the absence of Mehar Atwal, second on Merit list, gives Gurbani a chance to move ahead as she is eight behind Vani and four behind Mehar.

Gurbani, who won the Army Ladies title this season, had two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine. She had two more birdies on back but also dropped two bogeys and a double bogey to finish in 74.

The field for the 54-hole event will be one of the strongest assembled this year.