Smriti takes five-shot lead
in first round of 14th leg of Hero Women’s Pro Tour
Pune, March 21: A great finish saw Smriti Mehra card a
three-under 68 in the opening round of the 14th leg of the Hero Women’s
Professional Tour on Wednesday. Playing at the Pune Golf Club, Smriti had an
eagle and two birdies in last four holes to finish the day five shots ahead of
Nalini Singh Siwach (73).
Smriti
was one-over through 14 holes, before she had an eagle two on par-4 15th
and then had birdies on 17th and 18th. On the front nine
she bogeyed the second, but got back that shot on the fifth. She got another birdies
on seventh, but had back-to-back bogeys on eighth and ninth. She turned in
one-over and then had five pars on the trot before finishing strongly.
Nalini,
who has won three titles this season, had one birdie and three bogeys for her 73.
Ankita Tiwana had two birdies against seven bogeys for the 76.
Vandana
Aggarwal (77) was lying fourth while Saaniya Sharma (78) and Neha Tripathi (78)
were tied for sixth. Last week’s winner Pallavi Jain struggled to an 81 and was
lying seventh.
Currently
Smriti leads the Money list with earnings of Rs. 6,69,600 while Nalini has
earned Rs. 6,18,400. Sharmila is lying third (Rs. 470,400) but Neha Tripathi
(4,18,250) has a chance of overhauling her with a good showing in last two
legs.
This
year Smriti has won five titles, while Nalini has three.
