Jasmine Shekar took the early lead in the 2026 Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour after opening with a 3-under 67 at Bombay Presidency Golf Club, using two late birdies to separate from the field on the par-70 layout.
Shekar, a winner once in 2025, was one shot clear of Lavanya Jadon (68), who also picked up a title last season. The only other player to break par was former winner Seher Atwal, who signed for 70.
Shekar’s round was built on steady momentum. She turned in 2-under 35 with birdies at the third and eighth, then added two more gains at 16 and 17, with her lone dropped shot coming at the par-3 13th.
Jadon recovered from an opening bogey and played error-free the rest of the way, picking up birdies at the second, sixth, and 12th to stay in touch. Atwal mixed four birdies with four bogeys in an even-par round that kept her within three of the lead.
A group of five players sat tied fourth at 2-over 72: Sneha Singh, Amandeep Drall, Ridhima Dilawari, Jahanvi Bakshi, and Khushi Khanijau. Drall and Singh were among the multiple winners in 2025, while Shekar arrives this week after playing all 15 events last season and finishing third on the Order of Merit.
Round two resumes with Shekar holding a narrow advantage, but the scoring spread suggests a congested chase pack behind her.
Photo – WGAI
