Bangalore, Sep 22 (IANS): Mehar Atwal managed to hold off Vani Kapoor to emerge champion after a tense see-saw battle on the third and final day of the Usha Southern India Ladies Amateur Golf here Thursday.
Leader by five shots after two days, Mehar almost gave away the title with a string of errors, till Vani undid all her good work with a disastrous double bogey on the 18th and final hole at the KGA Golf Course.
It was a magnificent rally by Vani Kapoor as she made up the gap of five shots to get to the 18th tee tied with Mehar at three-over for the tournament. A blazing Vani was one-under for the day through for 17 holes.
But while Mehar held her nerve and racked up a birdie on the 18th, holing a good seven-footer to finish at 75, Vani struggled on the same hole after playing superbly through the day. Vani duffed twice, first from the rough to the bunker and then again while trying to come out. She ended with a double bogey six on the par-4 and from being tied at that stage she suddenly had three-shot swing going against her to finish at 73.
Mehar's total was two-over 218, while Vani, despite the day's best card of 73, ended second at 221. Tvesa Malik (76) was third at 227, and Gurbani Singh (80) fourth at 232. The pre-tournament favourite Aditi Ashok (81) ended an unhappy week in fifth place at 233. Anisha Padukone (82) was sixth at 238 and Millie Saroha (85) was seventh at 240.
Mehar, who for past two days led by five shots over Vani, gave away the early advantage with some error-ridden play. In comparison Vani played very steady. Mehar had no birdies and three bogeys on the front nine, which she played in three-over 39. In contrast Vani was even par for the stretch with one bogey and one birdie. Yet, at the turn, Mehar was still two ahead.
A birdie for Mehar on tenth, where Vani parred made the gap three shots once again. But on the 11th, while Vani birdied, Mehar bogeyed reducing the gap to just one and increased the tension. Vani caught up with Mehar for the first time on the par-3 13th with a birdie, but she gave away that shot on the very next hole, the par-5 14th as Mehar led by one. Both birdied the par-3 15th as tension kept mounting.
The see-saw battle continued with a bogey by Mehar on 16th as Vani kept her par to once again tie for lead. Both bogeyed the 17th and came alevel to the 18th tee with the title race still wide open.
Mehar birdied the final hole and Vani collapsed with a double and finished second three behind. Mehar will collect 50 points for the win, which will help her close the gap with Order of Merit leader Gauri Monga.