Tvesa gets off to a fine start in 16th leg of Hero Women's Pro Tour

Tvesa Malik got off to a fine start with an even par 70 in the first round of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour on Wednesday.

Tvesa, who has emerged as a fine talent this season, shot two birdies against two bogeys at the Palms Golf Club and Resort.

She is now one shot ahead of second-placed Smriti Mehra, who had a fine front nine with one-under 33.

However, in the back nine she gave away three bogeys against just one birdie on 17th for a total of one-over 71.

Tvesa, leader on the Hero Order of Merit, has already won three titles this season, while Smriti is looking for her first one.

Third placed Gursimar Badwal shot 74 but did not find her first birdie till the 16th hole. She birdied 17th too, but had a total of six bogeys, with 3 in each half, including one on 18th.

Amandeep Drall, Ridhima Dilawari and Neha Tripathi were all Tied-fourth with 75 each, while Millie Saroha was sole seventh at 76.

Afshan Fatima, Khushi Khanijau and Siddhi Kapoor were Tied-eighth with cards of 78 each.

Komal Chaudhary, Saaniya Sharma and Siddhi Kapoor will tee off first, followed by Khushi Khanijau, Afshan Fatima and Millie Saroha.

Ridhima Dilawari, Neha Tripathi and Amandeep Drall will go out in the third group, while Gursimar Badwal, Smriti Mehra and leader Tvesa Malik will tee off last in the leader group.

This is the 16th leg, with two more to follow in the current season.