Diksha Tied-19th as La Sella is cut to three rounds

Khel Today Bureau 

Denia, Spain: Inclement weather in a shortened tournament meant Diksha Dagar was still Tied-19^th and yet to begin her second round at the million dollar La Sella Open. Dagar shot 2-under 70 in the first round.

Among other Indians, Amandeep Drall (73) was T-54, Vani Kapoor and Ridhima Dilawari with 74 each were T-69, needing solid second rounds to make the third round, which will also be the final one.

Sweden’s Sara Kjellker led by three after firing a magnificent course record 64 (-8) in a delayed and suspension ridden first round in Spain.

The 24-year-old rookie got off to a flying start in Dénia opening with two birdies and an eagle in her first four holes before play was suspended on Thursday evening. With the tournament reduced to 54-holes to accommodate the storm delays, Kjellker returned to the course on Friday where she made a steady start signing for par on her next three holes.

Chasing former Hero Women’s Indian Open winner Christine Wolf’s initial target of 67 (-5), Kjellker soon lit things up again getting birdies on the 8th, 9th, and 11th before a wonderful up-and-down from the sand on the 12th helped her make another to move to eight-under par. She dropped a shot on 14th but birdied 17^th to break the course record at La Sella Golf Resort & Spa.

Six players were in a tie for third on four-under par, with Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby, Italy’s Clara Manzalini, Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab, Germany’s Alexandra Forsterling, and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist joining Spain’s Nuria Itturioz.

Ten players round off the top 10 on three-under par, including home favourites Carmen Alonso, Maria Hernandez, and 17-year-old amateur Andrea Revuelta.

Round two of the La Sella Open gets underway on Saturday at 7:45am local time.

The third and final round will take place on Sunday following the cut of the top 60 players and ties.