Avani Prashanth poses with the Junior Invitational list at Sage Valley
15 year old Avani Prashanth, the top-ranked Indian in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings, shot a highly creditable 70-73-73 (even-par 216) to finish tied-6th alongside some of the best women amateurs in the world at the elite Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club in South Carolina, a warm up event for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, to which Avani is invited.
Avani tied with Indian origin American Megha Ganne, ranked No. 13 in the world. Ganne was the best amateur at the 2021 US Women’s Open and even held the lead during that tournament.
The winner of the event was Amalle Leth-Nissen of Denmark, ranked 23rd in the world. Other top amateurs in the field included 46th ranked Francesca Florellini of Italy, 61st ranked American Alexa Pano, and 78th ranked Maria Jose.
Over the course of three rounds, Prashanth made more birdies than the winner Leth-Nissen (11 birdies to 10 birdies) and made an eagle as well but several bogeys kept her from shooting a lower score.
Next up for Prashanth is one-week of preparation before she becomes the first Indian to play in the ultra prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur. It is a 54-hole stroke play that features 72 of the top women amateurs from around the world. The tournament is split between two venues, with Champions Retreat hosting the opening rounds on Wednesday and Thursday. A practice round at Augusta National is played on Friday with the full field. The field is then cut to the top 30 players (with a playoff for the last spots if necessary) for the final round Saturday at Augusta National.
The winner of the tournament receives invitations to the next five Augusta National Women Amateurs, that year’s U.S. Women’s Open and Women’s British Open, and any USGA, R&A, and PGA of America amateur events for which she is otherwise eligible for one year, providing she remains an amateur.
Prashanth earned her invitation through her stellar play at the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi last November and winning the All India Junior and the stroke play and match play titles of the All India Women’s Amateur. She’s among the top 5 ranked 15-year-olds in the world.
Credits:-
Photo – Joy Chakravarty Twitter