India's top amateur golfer, Avani Prashanth, showcased her prowess in challenging conditions at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club during the Women's World Amateur Team Championship. For the second consecutive day, Prashanth delivered a remarkable performance, recording a bogey-free round of under-68.

 

 

Aavni Prashanth

 

 

At just 17 years old, Prashanth's strong showing placed her in second position with a total score of eight-under 136 after two days of play. She shares this spot with South Korea's Kiyorim Seo, who also carded a 68. Leading the pack was Thailand's Navaporn Soontreeyapas, who fired a remarkable seven-under 65.

 

 

While Prashanth shone, her compatriots Mannat Brar and Nishna Patel faced a challenging day, causing them to slip down the leaderboard. Brar recorded a 74 and was tied for 49th place, while Patel, at 18 years old, was tied at the 94th spot.

 

 

In the team event, where the two best scores count towards the team's total, India fell to a shared seventh place with a score of 6-under 282. The leading positions were held by Thailand, Australia, and Spain, all tied at 13-under 275.

 

 

Prashanth's stellar performance was marked by a strong start, including a 20-foot birdie putt on the first hole. She gained another stroke on the par-5 eighth hole by reaching the greens in just two shots and two-putting from 30 feet. On the 12th hole, she impressed with a 25-foot putt, an area not typically considered one of her strengths. She rounded off her bogey-free round of 68 by sinking an eight-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole.

 

 

Reflecting on her performance, Prashanth expressed her satisfaction, stating, "I'm very pleased with coming back without a bogey for the second straight day." Her consistent play has positioned her as a strong contender in the Women's World Amateur Team Championship in Abu Dhabi.