Sharmila Nicollet opens up a huge eight-shot lead in first leg

Bengaluru, August 5, 2010: Sharmila Nicollet tightened her grip on the first leg of the Hero Honda Women’s Professional Golf Tour of India with a superb sub-par round of one-under 71 at the 6,308 yard Eagleton Golf Course on Thursday.

The 19-year-old local golfer has now opened up a whopping eight-shot lead over her nearest rival, Pallavi Jain, who is now seven-over for 36 holes. One shot behind her is Nalini Singh Siwach (eight-over 152).

On a fairly sunny day, the wind was strong and continued to pick speed, so much so that on the 8th hole saw many players fading the ball unintentionally. Sharmila who was lucky to chip out from a difficult position on the right side under the pine trees to manage a par.

However Pallavi and Saaniya were not so fortunate and dropped a shot each.

Sharmila had four birdies and three bogeys in her round. A bogey on the third was followed by birdies on the fourth and fifth before a second bogey on ninth. On the back nine, she birdied the 13th and 15th, but dropped a bogey on the 16th before parring the remaining two holes for the day’s best of 71.

The next best round of 74 came from Nalini Singh Siwach, who made up for her first round 78 and moved into third place behind Pallavi, who carded a second round of 77.

Among amateurs Anisha Padukone moved into joint lead with Nikita Arjun with both of them at 17-over 161. Kasvi Malik was third at 167.

The Bengaluru event is the first leg in the 10-leg Hero Honda Women’s Professional Golf Tour of India (WPGTI) which enters its fifth year.

Leading scores after Round 2:

1. Sharmila Nicollet (Banglore) – 143 -1
2. Pallavi Jain (Jaipur) - 151 +7
3. Nalini singh Siwach (Delhi) – 152 +8
4. Nikki Ponappa (Banglore) – 153 +9
5. Nalini Singh (Delhi) – 154 +10
6. Rani Sonti (Banglore) – 158 +14

Amateurs:

1. Anisha Padukone (Banglore) – 161 +17
2. Nikita Arjun (Banglore) – 161 +17
3. Kasvi Malik (Banglore) – 167 +23