Bangalore`s Nikita extends lead by one stroke

Mumbai: Overnight leader Nikita Arjun of Bangalore slipped a bit in her performance on day two, but her score of 10 over 80 was still enough to open up a one-stroke lead on the top of the leaderboard in the 1st BPGC Open Ladies Amateur Golf Championship here on Wednesday.

Anisha Padukone, daughter of badminton ace Prakash and Nikita`s city rival, came up with a good show, finishing eight over 78 to occupy second place overall. Nanki Chadha of Delhi had a poor outing, returning 14 over 84 to remain in third spot in the tournament being held at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club in Chembur. Nikita started well, finishing the first nine holes two over 37. On the back nine she performed poorly to return a card of eight over, with bogeys on the 11th, 12th and 16th holes and double bogey on the 17th hole. Anisha played good golf over the first nine holes, finishing the round at one over 36, with a birdie on the 1st hole and bogeys on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th holes.On the back nine her performance dipped for the second day running, and she returned seven over, with a double bogey on the 15th hole and a triple bogey on the 12th hole. Results: (after 36 holes) Gold Division: Nikita Arjun (Bangalore) 158 (78, 80); Anisha Padukone(Bangalore) 159 (81, 78); Nanki J Chadha (Delhi) 168 (84, 84); Pauline J M Singh (Chandigarh) 178 (90, 88); Esha Kumar (Delhi) 179 (87, 92). Silver Division: Aruna Kulandivelu 172 (92, 80); Bunty Khanna 175 (87, 88); Preet Sodhi 181 (85, 96); Ritu Lumba 184 (94,90). Bronze Division: Asha Shah 208 (105, 103); Rama Khanna 217 (106, 111); Manisha Bose 220 (106,114). PTI