Smriti takes lead in third leg of Hero golf

Mumbai - Continuing from where she left off, veteran golfer Smriti Mehra played a solid first round in the third leg of the Hero Women’s Pro golf tour at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club here Tuesday to take sole lead.

At the end of the first round, Smriti finished at two under 68, three shots ahead of Sharmila Nicollet.

Smriti had a shaky start with bogeys on the first and third holes while the birdies on the second, fourth, 17th and 18th holes ensured her stay at the top at the end of the first round.

Sharmila played a steady front nine but faltered on the back nine with bogeys on the 11th, 14th and 16th holes. Her birdies on the 15th and 18th holes helped her finish second with a score of one over 71.

Rani Sonti, with three birdies on the fifth, 16th and 18th, finished third with a score of three over 73. Neha Tripathi, winner of the first leg, started with consecutive birdies on the first and second holes but failed to capitalise on her good start and finished fourth with a score of five over 75.

Preetinder Kaur (76) was placed fifth after the first round and Mita Gowande (77) finished sixth.

Scores:

Smriti Mehra – 68, Sharmila Nicollet – 71, Rani Sonti – 73, Neha Tripathi – 75, Preetinder Kaur – 76, Mita Gowande – 77.