Teenager Aditi Ashok rode on a flawless back nine which included two birdies to take a share of the lead with Tvesa Malik on the first day of the Usha Karnataka ladies and junior girls golf tournament on Wednesday in Bengaluru.
Local girl Aditi had a rough front nine going three-over but she recovered on the backward journey and ended the day at one-over 71 at the Bangalore Golf Club.
Joining her in the lead was Tvesa, who shot steady a 35 and 36 on the front and back nines.
Winner of the season’s first event, the Usha Army Ladies golf and also the topper of the Order of Merit in 2012, Gurbani Singh, opened with a round of two-over 72 that included two birdies and four bogeys, three of which came between the 11th and 15th holes.
As many as five golfers were bunched at four-over 74. They were Astha Madan, Amandeep Drall, Vrishali Sinha, Ridhima Dilawari and Vidushi Sinha.
While the top eight golfers figure in Category A (15-17 years), Amrita Anand led Category B (13-14 years) with Ankita Kedalya (77) second. In Category C (Under 13), the leader was Ananya Barthakur (78) and Anika Verma was one shot behind her.