Mumbai, February 25, 2014: Sharmila Nicollet returned to form taking a one shot lead over Vani Kapoor and Ankita Tiwana to lead after the first round of the fourth leg of the Hero Women’s Professional golf tour 2014 being held at Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC) in the city. Sharmila, the youngest Indian to qualify for the Ladies European Tour (LET), has been struggling with her form lately and didn’t get off to the best possible start today. After a disappointing front nine, she made a strong recovery in the back nine to end the day at one over 71.
Sharmila started off with a bogey and had two more on the third and 12th holes along with a double bogey on the fourth. However, she recovered well with birdies on the second, 11th, 16th and 18th finishing the day on top. The in-form Vani played a steady round today returning with a two over 72 as she putted four birdies on the first, seventh, 16th and 18th holes. Four bogeys on the fourth, sixth, 12th and 14th holes, and a double bogey on the 11th meant she had to settle for tied second spot along with Ankita Tiwana. Ankita also had a good outing today, carding two birdies on the second and fifth holes, along with a couple of bogeys on the 13th and 16th and also a double bogey on the ninth hole.
Shweta Galande and Saaniya Sharma are tied fourth after the first round with identical scores of four over 74. Winner of the last leg and veteran golfer Smriti Mehra ended round one at tied sixth with Meghna Bal, both returning with scores of five over 75. Neha Tripathi and Priya Puri are tied eight after round one with scores of six over 76.
The Rs. 5,00,000 event is the fourth in the series of 14 this year.
