Gurgaon: Sharmila Nicollet and Nalini Singh (Siwach) were locked in an interesting tussle in the sixth leg of the Hero WPG Tour at the DLF Golf and Country Club. But right on their heels was the talented amateur Vani Kapoor. The three were within two shots of each other.
As Nalini Singh (Siwach) carded one-under 71 to move into sole lead at 145, Sharmila finally had a day she seemed satisfied with as she carded the day’s best of two-under 70 and a total of 146 on a day when both her driving and putting worked well. Last week Nalini took the winner’s cheque as Vani topped the field at Golden Greens. Vani was third one shot behind Sharmila at 147.
Nalini, who has been consistent this season, recovered well in the latter stages of her round. She was two-over through six holes, but a birdie on eighth and then further 11th, 13th and 15thand a bogey on 12th ensured she was under-par for the day.
Sharmila said, “I drove well and the putting was better than before. But I need it to get much better.” She had one bogey, the only one of the day, on front nine on the seventh. On the back nine, she birdied the 10th and 11th and 18th as she carded 33 and ended the day ay 70.
Vani, who after being two-under for the front nine, dropped to one-over following three-over back nine. The back nine was disappointing for her as she bogeyed three in a row from 12thto 14th.
Saaniya Sharma had an up-and-down day. Her front nine was four-over with two bogeys and one double. On the back nine, she birdied the tenth and 11th and again 17th and 18th. She dropped a bogey on 13th and ended the day at 73 and a total of 152 for fourth place. Vandana Aggarwal (78-76) was fifth and Neha Tripathi (78-77) was fifth.
Rani Sonti, who had a good 76 in first round faltered with a 81 and money list leader Smriti Mehra struggled with a round of 79 after 80 in first round.
Amateurs Millie Saroha (76-74) and Vidhushi Sinha (86-76) also acquitted themselves well.
This is the sixth leg of the 15-leg WPG Tour which has a total purse of Rs. 42 lakhs.
