Gurbani Singh, who has taken over the lead from Aditi Ashok at the top of the Order of Merit of the Ladies section in the IGU circuit will start as a firm favourite in the third Usha Delhi Golf Club Ladies tournament starting Tuesday.

The Usha DGC Ladies Open is one of just a handful of leading tournaments held apart from the normal circuit of the IGU. Gurbani, who has just a one-point lead over Aditi Ashok with only the Usha All India Amateur left to come this season, will lead a strong field.

Mille Saroha could even afford a double bogey on the 18th hole as she held on for a comfortable win at the Usha Western India Ladies on Thursday. Saroha, who turns 17 later this month, carded a final round of two-over 73 and finished with a total of 225, three clear of Gurbani Singh (75) who aggregated 228.

This was Millie's second win after her success at the Usha Northern India Ladies and she was also third at the Usha Eastern Ladies.

Arjuna Awardee Nonita Lall Qureshi, very well-known coach now, gave away the prizes to the winners.

Ridhima Dilawari maintained her commanding lead at the end of the second round of the Usha Maharashtra Ladies Golf on Wednesday. Ridhima carded a six-over 77 but was still five shots clear of Millie Saroha (77-75) and six ahead of Raksha Phadke (78-75) and Gurbani Singh (77-76).

Ridhima, who opened the tournament with a fine one-under par 70, was struggling in the morning going five-over for the front nine three bogeys and a double bogey on ninth. She settled down better on the back nine with two birdies, one bogey and one double bogey and a 37 for a card of 77.

Ridhima Dilawari pushed aside better-known and senior challengers as she compiled an impressive one-under par 70 and took a huge six-shot lead at the end of the first round of the Usha Maharashtra Ladies Golf on Tuesday. The 14-year-old Ridhima, who has been maturing into a fine golfer and had some good results including a top-5 at the Usha Southern India Ladies Golf, was six clear of Seher Atwal (76), while Gurbani Singh, leader on the Order of Merit for Combined Category A-B, and Aditi Ashok were tied third at 77.

Ridhima, who turned 14 in July, is currently second behind Aditi Ashok in Category B. Aditi is not playing this week and on Tuesday Ridhima took a big step to making her presence felt at the event. She overcame an early double bogey on the second hole, to sink four other birdies against just one bogey for a 70.

Gurbani Singh, who won her third title of the season last week at the Usha Western India Ladies golf, will return to the Poona Golf Club for the Usha Maharashtra Ladies and Juniors golf this week to bid for yet another title and seal her claim on the Order of Merit title combined Category A&B on the Indian Golf Union circuit.

Gurbani, just 17, has already won the Usha Southern India, the Usha West Bengal titles this season and the Usha Western India Ladies titles this season. She will also be a strong contender for the Usha All India Amateur, where she unexpectedly got eliminated at the quarter-final stage last year.

Gurbani Singh won her third title of the season in rather comprehensive fashion as she emerged triumphant by seven shots in the Usha Western India Ladies golf at the BPGC here on Friday. Gurbani, who turned 17 this month, shot another steady three-over 73 at the BPGC to total six-over 216 for the tournament. Her earlier rounds were 70 and 73.

She was a comfortable winner over current Order of Merit leader Aditi Ashok who shot a 77 on final day. Aditi, who is just 14 years of age, totaled 223, finishing a shot ahead of Gursimar Badwal (73).

Gurbani Singh failed to land a single birdie but still increased her lead to three shots at the end of the second round of the Usha Western India Ladies golf at the BPGC here on Thursday. Gurbani, who carded an even par 70 yesterday, managed only a three-over 73 today, but Amandeep Drall, her closest rival after the first day slipped down to 76 and the third place.

In between Aditi Ashok, leader on the Order of Merit, stayed consistent by adding 72 to her first round 74 and moved to second place. Gurbani has a total of 143, Aditi is at 146 and Amandeep, winner of the Usha Eastern India Ladies golf, at 147.

Gurbani Singh once again showed that she is the player to beat this season as she continued her fine form in the first round of the Usha Western India Ladies golf at the BPGC here on Wednesday. Gurbani carded an even par 70 and took a one-shot lead over Amandeep Drall, winner of the Usha Eastern India Ladies title.

Gurbani was a comfortable four shots clear of arch-rival Aditi Ashok and Gusimar Badwal, while Ridhima DIlawari was fifth at 75. Gurbani also led the Category A ahead of Tvesa Malik (76), and Categories A-B combined ahead of Aditi (74). Aditi led Category B.

Aditi Ashok and Gurbani Singh, the two dominant players on the IGU-Usha Women's amateur tour will slug it out in the Usha Western India Ladies golf, which tees off this week. They are also first and second in the race for Order of Merit for the season.

Aditi, who is leading the Order of Merit, and has had a hectic season will once again headline the field that includes all the top names in the Usha Western Indian Ladies Championships at the BPGC, Mumbai this week.

A year ago none of the amateurs made it to the weekend rounds. This year at the resplendent KGA Golf course in Bengaluru, five of the six amateurs who teed up made the cut. Towering amidst them is local lad Seenappa Chikkrangappa, whose four-under 67 brought him to tied 10^th an improvement of 10 places from his overnight 20^th.

“I have played the Indian Open three times before but never made the cut,” said Chikka, seated next to Anirban Lahiri, with whom he shares a great rapport. Both of them are at six-under 207. “Both of us know this course well,” he added. Lahiri incidentally had the day’s best round of five-under 66.