<p>On a glorious day for golf with the sun hardly making an appearance, Neha’s game got swept away by the gusty winds as the overnight leader stumbled to an erratic three-over 73 to slip down to tied fourth (139) at the picturesque Clover Greens Golf Course.<br /><br />Second-leg winner Smriti Mehra, who opened her account here with a scratchy one-over 71, bounced back in splendid style, shooting a superb three-under 67 to soar to the top spot along with fellow Delhiite Nalini Singh Siwach (70) and talented 13-year-old amateur Aditi Ashok at 138.<br /><br />The biggest mover of the day was, however, two-time Order of Merit champion Sharmila Nicollet. <br /><br />The Karnataka Golf Association lass, who seemed to have bowed out of the title race with a disastrous opening-round 76, reignited her hopes with a stunning five-under 65 to rise to fifth (141) and set up a cracking final day that has five pros within three shots of the lead.<br /><br />“After such a horrendous display yesterday, I had no pressure today,” said a delighted Sharmila. “I just out went there all guns blazing and it worked for me. I am glad I am back in the title race and the plan tomorrow will be to attack.”<br /><br />Sharmila, who last season began with two runaway wins before posting three more but is still searching for her maiden crown this year, sunk an astounding seven birdies against two bogeys. <br /><br />Playing at her best, the 20-year-old could have signed off at six-under but shockingly missed a simple three-footer for par on the 18th.<br /><br />Another Bangalore girl who impressed was Aditi, who seems to thrive under pressure. After a rather poor opening where she bogeyed the second and the tenth, the teenager stormed back with back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th before draining an eight-footer birdie on the 17th.<br /><br />Leading scores (after 36 holes, ‘A’ denotes amateur): 138: Nalini Singh Siwach (68, 70), Aditi Ashok (A) (69, 69), Smriti Mehra (71, 67); 139: Neha Tripathi (66, 73); 141: Sharmila Nicollet (76, 65); 149: Rani Sonti (76, 73), Saaniya Sharma (78, 71); 152: Preetinder Kaur (80, 72); 154: Meghna Bal (80, 74); 157: Pallavi Jain (82, 75).</p>
<p>On a glorious day for golf with the sun hardly making an appearance, Neha’s game got swept away by the gusty winds as the overnight leader stumbled to an erratic three-over 73 to slip down to tied fourth (139) at the picturesque Clover Greens Golf Course.<br /><br />Second-leg winner Smriti Mehra, who opened her account here with a scratchy one-over 71, bounced back in splendid style, shooting a superb three-under 67 to soar to the top spot along with fellow Delhiite Nalini Singh Siwach (70) and talented 13-year-old amateur Aditi Ashok at 138.<br /><br />The biggest mover of the day was, however, two-time Order of Merit champion Sharmila Nicollet. <br /><br />The Karnataka Golf Association lass, who seemed to have bowed out of the title race with a disastrous opening-round 76, reignited her hopes with a stunning five-under 65 to rise to fifth (141) and set up a cracking final day that has five pros within three shots of the lead.<br /><br />“After such a horrendous display yesterday, I had no pressure today,” said a delighted Sharmila. “I just out went there all guns blazing and it worked for me. I am glad I am back in the title race and the plan tomorrow will be to attack.”<br /><br />Sharmila, who last season began with two runaway wins before posting three more but is still searching for her maiden crown this year, sunk an astounding seven birdies against two bogeys. <br /><br />Playing at her best, the 20-year-old could have signed off at six-under but shockingly missed a simple three-footer for par on the 18th.<br /><br />Another Bangalore girl who impressed was Aditi, who seems to thrive under pressure. After a rather poor opening where she bogeyed the second and the tenth, the teenager stormed back with back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th before draining an eight-footer birdie on the 17th.<br /><br />Leading scores (after 36 holes, ‘A’ denotes amateur): 138: Nalini Singh Siwach (68, 70), Aditi Ashok (A) (69, 69), Smriti Mehra (71, 67); 139: Neha Tripathi (66, 73); 141: Sharmila Nicollet (76, 65); 149: Rani Sonti (76, 73), Saaniya Sharma (78, 71); 152: Preetinder Kaur (80, 72); 154: Meghna Bal (80, 74); 157: Pallavi Jain (82, 75).</p>
