Smriti Mehra leads after second round of Hero Woman's Golf

Mumbai: Veteran golfer Smriti Mehra brought her experience into play as she snatched the lead after the second round of the third leg of Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour 2014 being held at the Willingdon Sports Club here today. Smriti, who was tied third after the first day’s play, displayed her craft and returned with the only under par score of the day at one under 64, finishing round two with a total of score of 128. [caption id=“attachment_1402209” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Smriti Mehra. AFP[/caption] Sharmila Nicollet, who returned with a not so impressive two over 67 and a total of 130, retained her second position, while overnight leader Pallavi Jain slipped to third place with a round two score of four over 69 and a total of 131. Smriti got off to a great start as she was three under par at the end the front nine with five birdies on the second, third, fourth, seventh and eight holes and a pair of bogeys on fifth and sixth. However, the back nine proved not so fruitful for her as she had a double bogey on the 14th and two bogeys on 13th and 15th, with just a couple of birdies on 10th and 12th as compared to five in the front nine. She has a two shot lead over second placed Sharmila, who is determined to come back strongly. The two stars of Indian golf will fight it out on the final day tomorrow, as both chase their first title of the season. Sharmila had an ordinary outing today as she managed to card just two birdies on the ninth and 11th holes, and a double bogey on the fifth along with bogeys on the fourth and 18th holes. Pallavi Jain, the overnight leader also had a disappointing second round as she could card a solitary birdie on the sixth and five bogeys on the first, 11th, 15th , 16th and 18th holes. Vani Kapoor, who has had a remarkable season so far faltered today as she returned with a round two score of three over 68 and a total of 132 after two rounds. She is placed fourth at the end of round two. Neha Tripathi (68), Vaishavi Sinha (70) and Ankita Tiwana (70) are tied fifth after the second round, with identical scores of 137. Vandana Agarwal with a total of 138 is placed eight and Meghna Bal lies at ninth position with a total score of 141 at the end of the second day’s play. PTI