Indian golfers Diksha Dagar, Avani Prashanth, and Hitaashee Bakshi opened their campaigns at the Jabra Ladies Open with steady rounds of one-over-par 72. Competing at the renowned Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, all three players closed the opening round tied for 36th. Despite a promising start from each, inconsistent patches cost them the chance to push into the top 20.
Tvesa Malik, the fourth Indian in the fray, endured a rough start. She carded a four-over 75, which placed her in a tie for 84th. With two more rounds remaining, she must now stage a strong comeback to make the cut.
Sweden’s Moa Folke stole the spotlight with a brilliant round of eight-under-par 63. Her score came with eight birdies and a single bogey, giving her a two-shot cushion over her nearest rivals.
Diksha Dagar Fights Through Fluctuations
Diksha Dagar entered the tournament with momentum after securing a Top-10 finish last week. She started her round from the sixth hole and made an immediate impact with back-to-back birdies on the sixth and seventh. After briefly losing ground with bogeys on the 13th and 16th, she countered with a birdie on the first.
At that point, she stood at two-under-par with just three holes left. But the finishing stretch proved brutal. Consecutive bogeys from the third to the fifth holes—her final three of the round—pushed her back to one-over. Diksha showed her usual aggressive style, tallying four birdies in total, but her five bogeys undercut her rhythm.
She now faces a crucial second round, where she must minimize errors while capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Her ability to regroup and maintain composure will determine her weekend placement.
Avani Prashanth Balances Birdies and Bogeys
Avani Prashanth also posted a 72, matching Diksha’s total but via a different route. Starting from the 15th hole, she traded shots all round, finishing with three birdies and four bogeys. Avani showcased her ability to recover quickly from setbacks, never letting a bogey derail her for long. However, she couldn’t sustain momentum on the tougher stretches of the course.
She displayed solid ball-striking and a composed short game, especially around the greens. Her performance reflected maturity and potential, especially considering her age and recent transition to the professional circuit.
With a few adjustments to her approach—particularly off the tee—Avani can threaten the top of the leaderboard in the coming rounds.
Hitaashee Bakshi Stays Steady but Seeks More
Fresh off a tied 12th-place finish at the Dutch Ladies Open last week, Hitaashee Bakshi arrived in France with high expectations. She began her round conservatively but stayed within striking distance of par throughout the day.
Her scorecard reflected two birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. Despite the setback on a single hole, Hitaashee limited damage elsewhere. The double bogey stood as the only glaring error in an otherwise consistent round.
She needs a cleaner round on Day 2 to challenge for a top-20 finish. If she can avoid big numbers and continue finding fairways and greens, her recent form indicates she could be a factor late into the weekend.
Tvesa Malik Struggles to Find Rhythm
Tvesa Malik, one of India’s most experienced golfers on the Ladies European Tour, couldn’t replicate her best form on Thursday. Starting with the same hopes as her compatriots, she encountered early trouble and failed to recover.
Her round included a string of errant approaches and missed opportunities on the greens. The 75 she signed for left her tied 84th, dangerously close to the projected cut line. She must now deliver a low score in her second round to remain in the tournament.
Tvesa has shown in the past that she can bounce back after a slow start. Her experience will be critical as she attempts to reset and mount a resurgence.
Moa Folke Lights Up the Leaderboard
While the Indians battled for rhythm, Sweden’s Moa Folke produced one of the most dominant rounds of her career. She began her day on the sixth hole and caught fire immediately, carding birdies on the first, second, seventh, ninth, 12th, 13th, 15th, and 18th.
Her only stumble came with a bogey on the 16th. Apart from that, she remained flawless. Her pace on the greens, precision with irons, and confidence in her putting stroke turned her round into a masterclass.
At eight-under-par 63, Folke took sole possession of the lead after the first round. Her aggressive approach and confident shot-making set her apart in a strong field.
The Chasing Pack
Five players sit tied for second, two strokes behind Folke at six-under-par. These include Finland’s Sanna Nuutinen, Thailand’s April Angurasaranee, Australia’s Kelsey Bennett, Czech Republic’s Sara Kouskova, and Spain’s Amaia Latorre. Each posted rounds of 65 to remain firmly in contention.
Behind them, a group of four players share seventh place at four-under-par 67. This pack includes Alexandra Swayne from the U.S., Annabel Fuller of England, Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland, and Italy’s Anna Zanusso.
With so many players shooting low scores, the second round promises even tighter competition. The field remains wide open, and any golfer who can string together consistent birdies will stand a chance to challenge for the title.
What Lies Ahead
The Indian contingent enters Round 2 knowing that improvements are necessary to climb the leaderboard. While Diksha, Avani, and Hitaashee have laid a solid foundation, they must now sharpen their execution and remain mentally strong over the next 36 holes.
For Tvesa Malik, the task becomes urgent. She must put together a focused and aggressive performance to avoid an early exit.
Meanwhile, Moa Folke aims to extend her lead, but with an aggressive chasing pack behind her, she cannot afford complacency. The Evian Resort Golf Club can turn from generous to punishing in a heartbeat, and consistency remains key.
Conclusion
Day one of the Jabra Ladies Open delivered spectacular golf and intriguing storylines. The Indian trio of Diksha Dagar, Avani Prashanth, and Hitaashee Bakshi kept their tournament hopes alive with identical 72s, showing resilience and flashes of brilliance. Tvesa Malik will look to bounce back and keep her hopes intact.
As Moa Folke leads the charge with a sparkling 63, all eyes now turn to Round 2, where pressure mounts, strategies evolve, and the field narrows toward a weekend showdown.
