Sharmila Nicollet leads in Noida

Sharmila Nicollet shot a 71 to take the first round lead at Jaypee Greens in Noida. The thirteenth leg of the ladies tour took off to a competitive start with Smriti Mehra and Shweta Galanda lying just one back.

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Report by Anand Datla

 

October 29, 2014: Ace golfer Sharmila Nicollet was in sizzling hot form in the first round of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour event at Jaypee Greens in Noida. The 23 year old golfer from Begaluru shot the only under par round of the day to gain a one shot lead over Smriti Mehra and Shweta Galande. Nicollet made a 71 with a lone birdie, while both Mehra and Galande signed on a 72 to occupy the top of the leaderboard.

 

Vani Kapoor suffered a setback, as she slumped to a 78 in the opening round. Kapoor was hurt badly by a quadruple bogey at the par-3 fifth hole. The leading golfer this season was far from her best as she surrendered three other bogeys to be eighth at the end of the first round.

 

Nicollet, coming off a good showing in the Celebrity Pro Am at Mission Hills continued from where she left it last week. The young golfer produced a controlled effort to keep her sheet clean through the first 18 holes of this 13th leg on ladies tour. Her only birdie came at the par-3 12th hole. Nicollet made par at the other seventeen holes for a satisfying day’s work.

 

Smriti took an aggressive path, trying to impose herself over the course. But despite making three birdies, she also gave away three to the course to sign off with an even par 72. Galande was keeping her company in second after undoing a birdie on the front with a bogey on her way to the clubhouse.

 

Vaishavi Sinha and Gursimar Badwal were tied in fourth after posting a 74. Sinha made a fine beginning by turning around in 35, but three bogeys on the return stretch undid her good work. Badwal’s was an eventful run – she made four birdies, but also tarnished her card with four bogeys and a double at the 384 yard par-4 7th hole.

 

Delhi golfer Ankita Tiwana posted a 75 to be four back from the leader, while Neha Tripathi managed only a 77 to remain six off the pace.

 

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