Kiran Matharu grabs lead in women's golf

Kiran Matharu carded two-under 68 to take the lead after the second round in the fifth leg of the Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour here Thursday.

Overnight leader Vani Kapoor scored 70 that took her total to one-under 139. She finished second, one shot behind Kiran's two-day total of 138 at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club. Amandeep Drall was placed third after scoring 70.

Kiran played a bogey-free front nine with birdies on the fourth, eighth and ninth holes. However, her back nine was a mixed bag as she dropped shots on the 12th, 13th and 17th. But birdies on the 10th and 18th helped her gain the lead on day 2.

Order of Merit leader Vani played a cautious round carding, two birdies on the first and fifth with equal number of bogeys on the third and seventh to score 70.

Amandeep too carded an even-par round with three birdies on the fourth, 11th and 16th. She also carded three bogeys on the third, 13th and 17th holes to return with a total score of 141 after 36 holes.

Sharmila Nicollet is placed fourth with a total score 143 after scoring two-over 72 in the second round. She carded two birdies on the fourth and fifth, while dropping shots on the second and 11th holes. However, a double bogey on the 10th hole spoilt her score line.

Delhi's Gauri Monga played a flawless front nine with birdies on the second and third. However, she could not sustain the momentum and carded a bogey on the 13th along with a double-bogey on the 18th.

She finished fifth with a total score of 148. She is followed by veteran Smriti Mehra and Chandigarh's Saaniya Sharma, who are placed sixth and seventh respectively.