Kolkata: Smriti Mehra, who has a long association with the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, took the lead in opening round of the 10th leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tournament on Wednesday. Smriti carded three-over 75 and another Kolkata golfer, Vandana Agarwal, who was the first to tee off this morning, shot 77 and was tied second with Ankita Tiwana. Shraddhanjali Singh making a comeback was fourth with 78 and Nikki Ponappa carded 79, as did Nalini Singh.
Smriti had three bogeys and a double bogey and no birdies as she went for 41 on front nine, but she recovered well on the back nine with an eagle and a birdie against one bogey for 34.

Vandana also had three bogeys and a double bogey but she also had a birdie for a 40 on first nine and then she had two birdies, a bogey and double bogey on back nine for 37 and a total of 77.

This is the first-ever WGAI event in Kolkata and carries a purse of Rs. 3,00,000 and concludes on February 17.

The players have a lot to play for as the top two on annual Hero OOM will receive two LET exemptions in the 2012-13 season. In addition the top four will be granted exemption to play in the LET Access series in Europe.