Tvesa Malik faces strong field

Young Tvesa Malik, who won her second title in a matter of five starts, will take on some of the bigger names as the 13th leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour rolls out this week at the Jaypee Greens in Noida.

Tvesa, who won at the challenging Delhi Golf Club Course last week in wet conditions, will see the return of Amandeep Drall and Neha Tripathi — both of whom were away playing in Europe last week.

But Vani Kapoor will stay back in Europe to play the Lacoste Ladies Open next week.

The return of Amandeep, second on the Hero Order of Merit, will once again renew the competition for honours between her and Gaurika Bishnoi, who moved to the top a week ago.

Gaurika could go beyond the `10 lakh mark if she wins the Rs 6 lakh event as she leads with Rs 9,06,400.

Amandeep has amassed Rs 8,77,500 and third placed Gursimar has made Rs 7,39,200.

Major challengers this week will include Gursimar, who has won twice this season, and Saaniya Sharma, who has won once and shown good form of late.

Smriti Mehra is still looking for her first win this season, as is Siddhi Kapoor, who did well to finish second at the 12th leg.

Neha, who has not been very consistent this season despite a win at the start, will also seek to bring some cheer to her supporters.

The draw for the first round has Tvesa playing with Smriti and Sonam Chugh in the last group while Gursimar Badwal, Amandeep and Suchitra Ramesh will be the first to go out.

Saaniya has been paired with Neha and Anisha Padukone, while Siddhi will play alongside Afshan Fatima and Gaurika Bishnoi. Ayesha Kapur, Trisha Sunil and Mehar Atwal will be in the same flight.