Gursimar Badwal works her way into the lead in Mumbai

Gursimar Badwal took full advantage of a slip by Smriti Mehra to snatch the lead at BPGC

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Gursimar Badwal took full advantage of a slip by Smriti Mehra to snatch the lead at BPGC

February 24, 2016: Gursimar Badwal isn’t one to be cowed down even when she is trailing on the leaderboard. The young golfer played with purpose on Wednesday to work herself into a one shot lead over Sharmila Nicollet. Gursimar posted 71 in the second round to work her way back from a three shot deficit over Smriti Mehra, who suffered a big letdown after riding high in the first round.

Sharmila Nicollet played well for an even 70 in the second round
Sharmila Nicollet played well for an even 70 in the second round
Nicollet, sponsored by Hero, enjoyed the only even par round on the day on a well maintained Bombay Presidency Golf Club course. She made par on 16 of the 18 holes on her way to a composed 70 to plant herself right behind Gursimar at two over 142.

Mehar Atwal and Ankita Tiwana shot 71 each to rise to joint third at 4-over 144, ahead of the final round on Thursday. The event at the popular BPGC is the fifth of eighteen legs on the WGAI Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour.

Overnight leader Smriti extended her lead with a birdie at the second hole, but suffered a big setback when she floundered at the 451 yard, par-5 fifth hole. Smriti made a quadruple bogey at the hole to essentially give away the advantage she gained over the previous day, plus the early gain on Wednesday.

Eventually she made 77 and lying third along with Mehar and Ankita. Smriti also endured two other double bogeys besides the quadruple on a very forgettable day for her.

Shweta Galande and Gauri Monga made 72 and 74 respectively to tie for sixth place after 36 holes. Neha Tripathi slipped to eighth place after she made a disappointing 76 in the second round.

The Sharma duo – Saaniya and Mehak – made 73 and 76 in their rounds to lie ninth at 149. Debutant Sonam Chugh shot a second straight 80 and she was lying in 15th, only two golfers worse off than her plight.

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