Dunne falls in semi-finals in Delhi

Maria Dunne. Picture: Ronan Lang

Skerries’ Maria Dunne will take on Taipei’s Tsai Wei Chia in the third place playoff on Sunday after she fell to leading qualifier Nur Durriah Damian of Malaysia on the 18th in the semi-finals of the USHA 100th All India Ladies Amateur Golf Championship.

Bidding for a winning round off a sensational season that saw her win Curtis Cup selection and then help GB&I to win at Dun Laoghaire in June, Dunne lost by one up to Nur, who now faces India’s Diksha Dagar in the 36-hole final.

One up after nine, Dunne was taken back to all square when Nur holed a bunker shot at the 10th. 

She then lost the 11th to a par, missed a eight footer for birdie at the 12th and then three-putted the 13th to go two down.

She won the 14th in birdie but missed a three footer for par at the 15th to go two down again, 

However, she refused to go down without a fought, won the 16th with a superb par to be just one down playing the 17th. She lipped out for a win in birdie there and so headed down the par-five 18th needing to win the hole to force sudden death. But ended up missing good birdie chances.

"And that was that," Dunne said. "I hope to win the 18-hole playoff today and finish off the this incredible year with a win."

Left-hander Diksha, who turned 16 earlier this week, had to dig deep to beat Tsai Wei Chia on the 20th in their semi-final at Delhi Golf Club.

The Indian Golf Union’s Order of Merit leader has been in excellent form this season, winning the Faldo Series India title in Mumbai to qualify for the Grand Final Asia, which will be held in Vietnam in March.

Diksha also represented India at the World Amateur Team Championships in Mexico as part of the Indian Golf Union’s team.

According to the GolfingIndian.com, "Diksha, has won four of the eight tournaments she has played this season and finished second in two others. Her latest win was the Usha Delhi Golf Club Championships last month.”

As for 21-year old Nur, who beat Dunne on the 18th, she has won three big titles, including the Malaysian Ladies Amateur title for the third time in August this year.

The 36-hole final will be played in two sessions,with the first 18 holes to be played from 8.20 am and the second session will begin at 1 pm.

USHA 100th All India Ladies Amateur Golf Championship at Delhi Golf Club

Semi-finals

• Nur Durriah Damian (Mas) bt Maria Dunne (Ire) 1-Up
• Diksha Dagar bt Tsai Wei Chia (Taipei) 20th hole

Final (8.20 and 1300)

• Nur Durriah Damian (Mas) vs Diksha Dagar (Ind)