After making history, Avani Prashanth shoots for the stars Premium

The 16-year-old golfer became the first Indian to triumph on the LET Access Series months after claiming the prestigious Queen Sirikit Cup. Her immediate focus is the Asian Games following which she will set her sights on making the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA

Avani Prashanth was not at her best for the bulk of the Ahlsell Final golf tournament in Sweden.

Avani shot an even par in the first round, with two bogies and two birdies, to lie tied-18th. The second round went only marginally better — a one-under 71 taking her to tied-eighth. She entered the championship round a good four shots behind the leader.

A poor start to the final round — bogeys on the first and fourth holes — left Avani way off the pace.

The time had come to go for broke. Avani turned to fellow golfer and good friend Vidhatri Urs, who carried her bags after missing the cut, for reassurance. Avani and Vidhatri agreed that all was not lost yet. A few good holes could turn things around.

What followed was a mighty comeback. The Bengaluru teenager sank three birdies and an eagle on the back-nine — an incredible run that powered her all the way to the title.

The eagle on the par-5 14th, in particular, gave Avani the belief that it could be her day. It was set up by an accurate 5-wood shot from 220 yards which landed five feet from the pin. “When I saw the leaderboard on the 17th hole, I realised that the eagle was very important,” Avani said.

The five-under 67 round ensured that Avani finished one shot ahead of her nearest rivals and home favourites, Isabell Ekstrom and Matilda Bjorkman. Avani became the first Indian to win on the LET Access Series — the official development tour for the Ladies European Tour.