Gauri maintains lead in Usha Golf

Gauri Monga survived an erratic day at the Poona Golf Course to stay on top of the leaderboard at the end of day two in the Usha Western India Ladies and Junior Girls Championships here Thursday.

Having carded a steady 72 (one over par) on day one, Gauri could not have asked for a more eventful day which saw her sink three birdies, three bogeys and two double bogeys to eventually finish with a card of four over 75.

She has a combined two day score of 147, which is two shots clear of second placed Millie Saroha. Millie, who was one of the major gainers of the day, followed up her 77 (six over par) on day one with a day's best card of one over 72 to move up from sixth place at the start of the day.

Giving Millie company in second position was Riddhima Dilawari who improved on her day one showing by one stroke to card a three over 74.

Bangalore-based golfer Aditi Ashok, currently placed second in the Indian Golf Union (IGU) Amateur Ladies Golf Tour Order of Merit list, was the other impressive performer carding a one over 72 as well to move up from 13th to lie fifth on the leaderboard. Both Millie and Aditi would look to at least match their day two performance if not better it to have a realistic shot at the title.

IGU Ladies tour leader Gurbani Singh returned a disappointing 10 over 81 to end the day in fourth position, a climb down from her second placed finish at the end of day one. Gurbani is six shots off the pace and will need something special on the final day to pull this one off.

The other notable names in the top ten included the likes of Amandeep Drall (seventh), Gaurika Bishnoi (ninth) and Seher Atwal (10th). Although Gauri is in red hot form and looks good for a strong finish, the final day can yet throw up surprises with a talented bunch at her heels.