Sharmila Nicollet maintains lead in Hero Golf

Overnight leader Sharmila Nicollet continued her fine form to open up a five-shot lead over Vani Kapoor after Day Two of the fourth leg of the Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour 2014 at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC) here Wednesday.

Sharmila, who has often surrendered the advantage from a strong position, was in a sublime form Wednesday, carding the only under par score of the tournament so far - two under 68 and a total of 139 to retain the top spot.

Sharmila, who has had problems with her consistency this season, was in no mood to repeat her mistakes and displayed tremendous gameplay WEdnesday. Her consistency is reflected by the fact that she had just a single bogey on the fourth hole and carded three birdies on the third, seventh and eleventh holes. With a five-shot advantage over second placed Vani, Sharmila is aiming for her first win of the season.

Vani played another steady round of two over 72, with a birdie on the 15th and three bogeys on the 10th, 11th, and 14th holes, finishing with a total of 144. It will be an uphill task for the talented Delhi golfer to catch up with Sharmila Thursday. Saaniya Sharma moved a place up to finish the second round at third position, with a score of two over 72 and a total of 146.

Ankita Tiwana, who had ended round one at second place, slipped to fourth position with a second round score of five over 75 and a total of 147. Neha Tripathi, Smriti Mehra and Meghna Bal are tied fifth after the second day's play with identical scores of 149.