Srinagar: Smriti Mehra brought in all her experience to overhaul Nalini Singh Siwach and win the fourth leg of Hero-WGAI Women’s Pro Tour on Thursday. Smriti shot her second successive two-under 70 to finish with a total of 214, as against Nalini Singh’s 218 following a final round 75. It also sealed a second title of the season for Smriti.
Saaniya Sharma (73) finished third at 224 and Shraddhanjali Singh (71) was fourth at 225. Vani Kapoor (76) was fifth at 226 and Neha Tripathi (78) was sixth at 227.
Nalini, leading by one shot overnight, failed to land any birdies through the round. She bogeyed the third and fourth and fell behind. When Smriti birdied the fifth and then eighth, Nalini was virtually out of the race. Smriti bogeyed the 10th and Nalini bogeyed the 17th. Then Smriti ended the tournament in style with a birdie on 18th to finish at 70 and 214.
Nalini was just not able to hole her putts and had only three bogeys.
Saaniya had two bogeys and one birdie in her 73 as she ended third. Vani Kapoor once again disappointed with a 76 and ended fifth, while Shraddhanjali Singh (71) had a sub-par round during a week when her fortunes fluctuated wildly with rounds of 75, 79 and 71.
This was the first-ever women’s professional event at the picturesque Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar and it elicited a great response and the course itself was a challenge for the golfers.
Ankita Tiwana (75) and Meghna Bal (77) were tied for seventh at 232.
Smriti Mehra became the first multiple winner this season, as she had also won the second leg in Bengaluru. Sharmila Nicollet won the first leg, Smriti the second and rookie Vani Kapoor took the third, before Smriti added a second title.
The Hero-WGAI Tour will now arrive into the National Capital Region with next four legs will be held in the National Capital Region. The fifth leg will be held at the DLF Golf and Country Club September 19.
By Indian Sports News Network
