NEW DELHI, India (13 December 2016) – South Africa’s Zethu Myeki and Danielle du Toit made a fair to middling start in the 36-hole qualifier of the USHA All India Ladies Amateur Golf Championship at Delhi Golf Club in India on Tuesday.

Ananya Barthakur birdied the 18th hole to set the clubhouse target at one over 73 and the 15-year-old Delhi golfer was later joined by three-time Malaysian Ladies Amateur champion Nur Duriah Darmiyan. The pair finished one shot clear of Seher Atwal, the niece of international Indian pro golfer Arjun Atwal.

Du Toit from Gauteng North grabbed a share of the five-way tie for 20th with an eight-over-par 80 and Myeki from Border carded an 82 to join a quartet of players tied for 27th.

India’s Aditi Ashok – who represented India at the Olympic Games in Rio and recently stunned with back-to-back victories on the Ladies European Tour shortly after turning pro – won the championship in 2012 at the age of 13 and again in 2014.

This year’s the top Indian contender is Diksha Dagar, the reigning number one ranked player on the Women’s Amateur Order of Merit. The Delhi golfer carded a five over 77 to tie for eighth with Jakia Sultane from Bangladesh.

Womens Golf South Africa president Karen Olivant said the South African pair were frustrated with their first round performances, but are upbeat and keen to improve.

“During our practice round we realised that the course is extremely tight, especially the back nine, so unless the driver is working very well, you’d be better off leaving it in the bag,” said

“It’s little wonder then that Zethu and Danielle were frustrated after hitting a number of great tee shots down the middle of the fairway, but missing greens with poor approach shots. Still, we are pleased that both girls finished inside the top 30. They were upbeat about their chances to improve in Wednesday’s second round to make the top 16 the match play stage.”

PHOTO – Zethu Myeki (left) and Danielle du Toit (middle right) with two other contenders at the USHA All India Ladies Amateur Golf Championship in India; credit WGSA.