Pune, Dec 10 (IANS)

As the Indian Golf Union (IGU) Amateur Ladies Tour bandwagon moves to the country's west, a total of 45 amateurs including all the stars will be seen in action at the Usha Western India Ladies and Junior Girls Championships beginning Wednesday.

Former IGU Ladies Tour winner and rising star Gauri Monga will start clear favourite in the event, her creditable fifth place finish in the recently concluded Indian Open confirming her red hot form for the season.

Prior to her headline-grabbing finish in the Indian Open, Gauri had registered two facile victories in a month on the IGU tour as well, which saw her moving to third place on the Order of Merit, behind Gurbani Singh of Delhi and Aditi Ashok of Bangalore, giving her a clear shot at the title once again.

Gurbani will look to get back to her winning ways in Pune to ensure that the title of the country’s top amateur lady golfer stays with her at the end of the season. Also vying for the championships will be second-placed Aditi Ashok of Bangalore as well as all the regular suspects including the likes of Gursimar Badwal (placed fourth in Order of Merit), Millie Saroha (placed fifth) and Riddhima Dilawari (placed sixth).

The event will be played in the stroke-play format over three days and 54 holes.