New Delhi :Sharmila Nicollet played a level-par round to grab the early lead in the 16th Leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour here today.
In second place, adrift by one stroke is veteran Smriti Mehra at one-over 73. The Rs 6,00,000 event will culminate on September 11.
Nicollet started cautiously, carding two birdies on the eighth and ninth holes while dropping a shot on the fourth. She dropped three more shots on the 11th, 16th and 18th holes in her back nine but an eagle on the 14th was enough to her secure a one stroke advantage over Smriti Mehra. This was Sharmila’s first eagle of the season.
Mehra had a shaky start and carded a bogey on the 1st hole and added another on the fourth in her front nine. A lone birdie on the sixth hole helped her gain some control. Her back nine was a mixed bag as she carded two birdies on the 12th and 14th holes along with an equal number of bogeys on the 13th and 16th.
Local player Gauri Monga and amateur Tvesa Malik are tied for the third spot with identical totals of two-over 74 after the first day’s play.
Panchkula’s Amandeep Drall, Kapurthala’s Gursimar Badwal and amateur Diksha Dagar returned with identical scores of five-over 77 to end tied fifth.
The Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour comprises a total of 19 legs spanning across key locations in India.
PTI