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Guntas Kaur Sandhu Leads Indian Charge at Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific

Indian golfer Guntas Kaur Sandhu fired a one-under 71 to sit tied for 17th after the first round of the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific championship in Wellington. She is the best-placed Indian, though she trails South Korea's leader Yunseo Yang by seven strokes. Sandhu, who had a stellar domestic season with four wins, described the Royal Wellington course as challenging but is looking forward to improving her performance. Her compatriots Ananyaa Sood, Zara Anand, and Jia Kataria had a more difficult start to the tournament.

Key Points: Guntas Kaur Sandhu Tied 17th at Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific

  • Guntas Kaur Sandhu cards one-under 71
  • Trails leader Yunseo Yang by seven strokes
  • Won four domestic IGU titles this season
  • Winner earns spots in three major championships
  • Other Indians had a tough opening round
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Guntas Kaur Sandhu tied 17th after Round 1 of Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific

India's Guntas Kaur Sandhu shoots 71, leads Indian golfers after Round 1. Ananyaa Sood, Zara Anand, Jia Kataria also in action.

"Royal Wellington is a challenging parkland course. I attacked the flags from the start. - Guntas Kaur Sandhu"

Wellington, February 13

India's Guntas Kaur Sandhu carded a one-under 71 at the Royal Wellington Golf Club in the New Zealand capital on Thursday to emerge as the best Indian at tied 17th position after the opening round of the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific, according to an IGU media release.

The tournament is hosted by The R&A (Royal & Ancient, Scotland), the world governing body for the rules of golf, in association with the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC).

Part of the four-member team sent by the Indian Golf Union (IGU), Guntas began on a modest note with a bogey on the first hole before sinking birdies on the third, eighth and 12th holes. But a bogey on the 15th hole pegged her back. She trails the leader, Yunseo Yang of South Korea, by seven strokes.

Other Indians in fray, Ananyaa Sood (2-over 74; Tied 42nd), Zara Anand (7-over 79; Tied 66th) and Jia Kataria (9-over 81; Tied 75th) had a disappointing first round.

Guntas Kaur Sandhu, ranked 545th in the world, had a remarkable domestic season, winning four times on the IGU circuit, namely the Gujarat Ladies & Junior Girls Amateur, Eastern India Ladies & Junior Girls Amateur, Southern India Ladies & Junior Girls Amateur and the Maharashtra Ladies & Junior Girls Amateur Golf Championships. She finished third in the 2025 IGU All India Ladies & Junior Girls Amateur Championship.

Speaking about her round, Guntas said, "Royal Wellington is a challenging parkland course. I attacked the flags from the start, but got mixed results today. I will draw inspiration from some of my good performances on the domestic IGU circuit tomorrow. Looking forward to a memorable outing here."

The winner of World Amateur Asia-Pacific earns invitations to play in three major championships -- the AIG Women's Open, the Amundi Evian Championship and The Chevron Championship.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
It's a decent position, but we need to be realistic. The other Indian scores show the gap in consistency at this level. The IGU needs to provide more exposure on international courses for our players to truly compete.
R
Rohit P
Winning four domestic titles is no small feat! That experience will help her. She knows how to win. Just needs to translate that form to the big stage. All the best for the next round!
S
Sarah B
As a golf fan, it's exciting to see Indian talent at this tournament. The prize of playing in majors is huge. Hope she can climb the leaderboard. The course sounds tough.
K
Karthik V
Bhai, one-under on the first day in New Zealand is a good score. Don't forget the time difference and unfamiliar conditions. She's holding the flag high. Let's support the entire team! 💪
N
Nisha Z
More power to our women athletes! Golf doesn't get as much spotlight in India as cricket, but these girls are putting in the work. Proud of Guntas for being the top Indian. Keep going!

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