Smriti Mehra claims massive victory

Report by Anand Datla

March 05, 2015: Smriti Mehra completed a massive seven shot victory to claim her second title in as many weeks. The 42 year old veteran offered a lesson in control to her younger rivals with a steady 72 to claim victory at the seventh leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf event. Mehra made four birdies but also suffered a double bogey at the 10th hole and three other bogeys with finish tournament at 2-over 215. Vani Kapoor matched the 73 she made in the first round to finish in a tie for second on 222 with Saaniya Sharma and Neha Tripathi.

Vani had a good start to her final round – a birdie at the first hole and eight consecutive pars to help her make the turn in 34 shots. But a double bogey six at the 14th, sandwiched between two other bogeys meant that she needed 39 shots to complete her card for the week.

Saaniya made four bogeys in the first five holes to get off to a miserable start. But she steadied her nerve from there to get through the course with two birdies and another bogey to finish with a 74 in the final round.

Neha tarnished an otherwise commendable effort with a pair of bogeys on either side of her journey to sign off with a 75 and join Saaniya and Vani in a three way tie for second place.

Rookie golfer Amandeep Drall continued to impress, making 72 in the final round to tie for fifth with Sharmila Nicollet and Kiran Matharu. Drall had gotten off to an 80 in the first round and final result represented a fine turnaround for the young golfer.

Nicollet had a sluggish ending, making consecutive double bogeys at the final two holes to post a 76 that saw her drop to 224 with the second place well in her grasp.

Incidentally Matharu also squandered her chance to tie for second when she matched Nicollet with a seven at the par-5 18th hole. The best round of the day came from Ankita Tiwana, who made up for the first round 79 with an even 71 in the final round.