Mehar pips Neha for Hero golf title

Delhi amateur Mehar Atwal played exceptionally to emerge winner of the ninth leg of the Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour, defeating Kolkata professional Neha Tripathi in a nail biting play-off at the Eagleton Golf Resort here Friday.

Mehar and Neha finished at the top with identical totals of 214 after 54 holes, resulting in the play-off in the Rs.5 lakh event.

Another Delhi amateur, Millie Saroha finished with an impressive performance to be placed third with a total score of 217 after the final round.

Mehar's round Friday showcased her golfing acumen and maturity as the Delhi youngster held her nerve throughout to card the day's lowest score of three-under 69. Her bogey-free round consisted of three birdies on the front nine. She was tied with Neha for first place and won the first play-off hole.

Neha's third round of two-under 70 consisted of four birdies along with two bogeys as she walked away with the winner's cheque by virtue of being the best professional and is currently placed second on the Order of Merit.

Overnight leader Millie Saroha's unfortunate back nine cost her possible win as she gave way to fellow-amateur Mehar to enter the play-offs with Neha.

Millie began with a lot of promise as she went for the kill with a bogey-free front nine which included two birdies. She, however, faltered with four bogeys on the back nine.

Current Merit Leader Vani Kapoor from Delhi finished fourth with a total score of 218. Her bogey-free round of one-under 71 consisted of just a lone birdie.

Kapurthala's Gursimar Badwal finished fifth carding a total of 220. Her final round consisted of three birdies besides as many bogeys.

Delhi's Ankita Tiwana, who carded the only eagle of the tournament Friday, finished sixth with a total of 221. Her final round score of one-over 73 included an eagle on the second hole and a birdie on the 18th. Her round was blotted by four bogeys.

Pune's Shweta Galande finished seventh with a total of 222 while Chandigarh's Saaniya Sharma was eighth with 223, followed by local amateur Anisha Padukone (231) and Ankita Kedlaya (233).

The tour will now move to Tamil Nadu in September for the 10th leg.