Millie sparkles on Day One

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Millie Saroha

Millie Saroha stole the show on the opening day of the Usha All India Ladies Amateur Golf Championships, even as all eyes were focused on Aditi Ashok and Gurbani Singh, who are engaged in a keen battle for the Order of Merit title.

Millie, winner of the Usha Northern India Amateur Championships earlier this season, carded one-over 70 for a handy three-shot lead over reigning champion Aditi (73).
Delhi girl Gurbani, one point ahead of Aditi in the race for the Order of Merit, was a shot further behind at 74 at the par-69 Tollygunge Golf Club.
The top-three will play together in the second round, following which the top-16 will qualify for the matchplay section of the tournament.
Ridhima Dilawari and Gursimar Badwal were tied for fourth at 75 each, while Tvesa Malik, Astha Madan and Amandeep Drall carded 77 each. A consistent performer on the tour, Millie sank two birdies — on the 14th and 18th holes — against three boyeys (7th, 12th and 16th) for a card of 70.
Aditi, who has had a great season and is looking to add the Ladies Order of Merit besides the title, started off poorly with bogeys on the third and sixth.
She recovered a bit with a birdie on the 10th, but then had back-to-back bogeys on 11th and 12th before finding a birdie on 17th. She closed in a disappointing fashion dropping a valuable shot on the 18th.
Meanwhile, Gurbani was three-over for the front nine, but she birdied the 14th. But three bogeys in a row from 15th to 17th spoilt her day.
This season, Gurbani has won two regional titles, the Southern India and Western India titles, while Mille grabbed the Northern India crown and Amandeep won the Eastern India.