Pranavi, Hitaashee keep hopes alive

Indian golfers Hitaashee Bakshi and Pranavi Urs kept their hopes alive at the La Sella Open in Spain, being the only Indians to make the halfway cut. Canadian teenage sensation Anna Huang stormed ahead with a bogey-free six-under 66 to lead by three shots at the top.

Hitaashee, who carded rounds of 72 and 73, sits at one-over for 36 holes, tied for 36th, while Pranavi (73-73) is tied for 47th. Both will aim to carry this momentum into their home event, the Hero Women’s Indian Open, starting in less than three weeks.

Ridhima Dilawari narrowly missed the cut, finishing one shot over at 147 (75-72). Other Indian participants Avani Prashanth (78-70), Diksha Dagar (73-75), Vani Kapoor (78-71), and Tvesa Malik (71-78) also fell short, with the cut set at two-over-par.

Pranavi had three birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, while Hitaashee recorded two birdies, a bogey, and a double bogey.

In the overall standings, France’s Nastasia Nadaud moved into solo second with 11-under-par after a round of 67 (-5). Singapore’s Shannon Tan is third on seven-under-par following a 68 (-4), while Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz and Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley share fourth place at six-under-par. Iturrioz, the 2023 La Sella Open champion, fired a round of 66 (-6) featuring five consecutive birdies, while Rudgeley went bogey-free, making five birdies across the front and back nine.

A four-way tie for sixth includes Italy’s Alessandra Fanali, Slovenia’s Pia Babnik, Australia’s Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, and Wales’ Lydia Hall, all on five-under-par. One shot back, Ireland’s Lauren Walsh, Italy’s Alessia Nobilio, Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjäll, and England’s Amy Taylor share 10th place.

A total of 61 players made the cut at +2 to advance to the weekend rounds at La Sella Golf Resort.