Report by Anand Datla
September 03, 2015: A string of birdies helped Sharmila Nicollet surge into the lead at Jaypee Greens in Noida. The popular golfer took centre stage with a dominant performance on Thursday that saw her shoot 67 for a one shot lead over Amandeep Drall. Overnight leader Neha Tripathi slipped four shots back after signing on a 75 for her efforts in the second round. Sharmila is currently at 3-under 141 with Amandeep right behind at 142. (Latest Golf News)
Sharmila played an aggressive game, chasing the pins with gutso. She made four birdies on the front nine, before adding five more on her way back to the clubhouse. In the end five under was a great return, considering she was lying even through ten holes.
Bogeys at the 3rd, 5th and 6th holes meant that she needed 35 shots to navigate the first nine holes, despite making four birdies, including two consecutive gained shots at the 7th and 8th holes. Another bogey at the 368 yard par-4 10th hole saw Sharmila slip back to even par for the day.
Having made 74 on Wednesday, few would have bet on the charming lady take the lead at the end of the second round. But the floodgates opened for Sharmila, when she made four straight birdies from the 11th to surge ahead. She added another birdie at the 16th hole to take the lead after 36 holes.
Amandeep Drall fired six birdies during her round – three on either side of her walk around the course. But a double bogey six at the tenth hole and two other bogeys left her with a 70 to add to her even 72 from the first round.
Gursimar Badwal fired a 72 to get up to fourth on the leaderboard at two over 146. Veteran Smriti Mehra shot a poor 76 in the second round, to slip down to fifth from second overnight. Vani Kapoor had a second day of disappointment, adding a 78 to her 74 from the first round.
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