Nalini takes two-shot lead on day one

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Nalini Singh Siwach maintained her steady form with a fine even-par round of 72 to take a two-shot lead at the end of the first round of the Hero-Classic Golf Resort Women’s Pro Golf, the eighth leg of the Indian women’s domestic Tour. She was two shots clear of Saaniya Sharma, who is still looking for her first win this season.

Smriti Mehra, winner of three titles this year, paid for her triple bogey eight on the par-5 third hole to finish at 75 and three behind the leader. She was tied for third with Vani Kapoor.

Nalini, who has already won once on the Hero-WGAI Tour, had three birdies and three bogeys. She bogeyed the seventh but got that back on the very next hole to turn in even par. On the back nine, a birdie on par-3 11th got her under par, before she gave away bogeys on 13th and 15th, but a closing birdie on 18th saw her finish at even par.

Saaniya Sharma, who has time and again given away the advantage, had one birdie against three bogeys in her two-over 74.

Vani Kapoor, winner last week at Delhi Golf Club, birdied the third, but then had back-to-back bogeys on fifth and sixth and then again on 15th and 16th. The rest were pars in her 75.

Neha Tripathi with one birdie, four bogeys and one double bogey carded 77 and was fifth, while Meghna Bal, Nikki Ponappa and Rani Sonti were sixth at 78.

On the Money List Smriti has won Rs. 7,67,750 this year, while Nalini has Rs. 6,98,000. Vani is just behind with Rs. 6,72,250 in third place.

This season Smriti has won three times, while Vani has won once. Sharmila and Nalini have won once each.

Tee times for Second round
8:30 AM: Seema Sobti (85) / Pallavi Jain (83)
8:40 AM: Preetinder Kaur (80)/Shraddhanjali Singh (80)/Ankita Tiwana (80)
8:50 AM: Priya Puri (79) / Rani Sonti (78) / Nikki Ponappa (78)
9:00 AM: Meghna (78) / Neha Tripathi(77) / Vani Kapoor (75)
9:10 AM: Smriti Mehra (75) / Saaniya Sharma(74) / Nalini S. Siwach(72)