Tonje irons out flaws to shoot superb 6-under
A lot of golf remains in the Hero Women’s Indian Open but Tonje Daffinrud will celebrate in her own quiet way. A two-shot lead at the DLF Golf and Country Club can evaporate in no time, given the challenges that lurk at every corner, but for the 27-year-old from Oslo, Norway, Thursday was a day of breaking fresh ground.
A career-best round of six-under 66 was one, but more importantly in context of this $500,000 tournament, it was shooting her first under-par round here in three years. Missing cut since 2016 and a round of 73 her best before tee-off on Thursday, Tonje started with little at stake.
“I never bothered about the score,” said Tonje as she went about “making birdies and not too many mistakes”. Save the bogey on the 3rd, there was little she could complain of, and when that’s the case moving up the leaderboard is a smooth affair.
Though surprised to find her name up there, Tonje continued to focus on her iron play and putting — key aspects of her success on the opening day.
The quality of her play could be gauged from the birdie on the 17th. The layout is such that it demands respect, but the freeflowing Tonje sailed through “with my eyes closed”.
RIDHIMA BEST INDIAN
Learning most of her golf at the Delhi Golf Club, Ridhima Dilawari shot a three-under 69 to be T5 on the back of just three weeks of practice here. Turning professional around that time, playing the domestic pro tour gave her access to the course, and the time spent seemed to have helped.
The performance at the Asian Games may not lived up to expectations but “competing against the best” in Jakarta has given hope to the 20-year-old. The move to professional golf is often termed a test of skill and character but Ridhima doesn’t see it as an issue. “You still have to go out and make putts,” she said.
If playing good golf drives her on the course, a key decision taken off it is seen as a way to achieving her goals. After enrolling at the Columbia University, Ridhima took a break from studies. With little to distract her now, it is on to discovering how far golf can take her.
Leaderboard: 66: Tonje Duffinrud. 68: Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras; Marianne Skarpnord; Christine Wolf. 69: Caroline Hedwall; Ridhima Dilawari; Florentyna Parker.
GURGAON: