Nalini leads the field in sixth leg of Hero WPG Tour

Gurgaon: Nalini Singh and Sharmila Nicollet were locked in an interesting tussle after the former carded one-under 71 to move into sole lead at 145 while the latter carded two-under 70 for a total of 146 in the sixth leg of the Hero WPG Tour here at the DLF Golf and Country Club.

Even amateur Vani Kapoor, who is at third spot with one shot behind Sharmila at 147, was also right on their heels. Last week Nalini took the winner`s cheque as Vani topped the field at Golden Greens. Nalini, who has been consistent this season, recovered well in the latter stages of her round. She was two-over through six holes, but a birdie on eighth and then further 11th, 13th and 15th and a bogey on 12th ensured she was under-par for the day. Sharmila, finally had a day she seemed satisfied with as she carded the day`s best as both her driving and putting worked well. She had one bogey, the only one of the day, on front nine on the seventh. On the back nine, she birdied the 10th, 11th and 18th as she carded 33 and ended the day at 70. "I drove well and the putting was better than before. But I need it to get much better," said Sharmila. Vani, who after being two-under for the front nine, dropped to one-over following three-over back nine. The back nine was disappointing for her as she bogeyed three in a row from 12th to 14th. Meanwhile, Saaniya Sharma had an mixed day. Her front nine was four-over with two bogeys and one double. On the back nine, she birdied the tenth, 11th and then 17th and 18th. She dropped a bogey on 13th and ended the day at 73 and a total of 152 for fourth place. Vandana Aggarwal (78-76) was fifth and Neha Tripathi (78-77) was sixth. Rani Sonti, who had a good 76 in first round, faltered with a 81, while money list leader Smriti Mehra struggled with a round of 79 after 80 in first round. Amateurs Millie Saroha (76-74) and Vidhushi Sinha (86-76) also acquitted themselves well. PTI