Avani plans to turn pro next year
17-year-old Avani Prashanth, two-time All India Ladies Amateur Champion and 2023 Asia-Pacific Championship (Queen Sirikit Cup) winner, proved her mettle by going all the way to the quarterfinals at the U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship in California.
Avani, the highest-ranked Indian on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), shot 72-72 (2-over 144) in the stroke play round, to advance to the match play section. In the Round of 64, she defeated Isabela Brozena of the USA on the 19th hole. She continued her winning streak with a 1 UP victory over American Amelie Zalsman in the Round of 32 and a 3 and 2 win against Japanese Isaki Sakashita in the Round of 16. Her impressive run ended in the quarterfinals, where she lost 2 and 1 to highly ranked Gianna Clemente of the USA.
The United States Girls’ Junior Championship, organised by the United States Golf Association (USGA), is open to amateur girls under 19.
Avani’s upcoming schedule includes the Junior PGA at the Congressional Golf Club from July 30-August 2 in Baltimore, the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Tulsa, Oklahoma from August 2-11, and the LPGA Q-School from August 19-26. She plans to turn professional in 2025.
Photo – Avani