Nalini overcomes nervous start, shoots 75 at LET Q-School

Playing at the at the Al Maaden Golf Course, the 23-year-old Indian, who is attempting to get into the Final Stage of the LET Q-School, was tied 50th after the first round of the four-round event, from where the top-45 and ties move into the Final Stage.

Nalini, who was the top Indian pro at the recent Hero Women's Indian Open, had a rough start from the 10th as she bogeyed the 12th and 13th.

She birdied the par-3 15th, but again dropped shots on 17th and 18th to turn in four-over.

But she got back her calm on the second nine.

She birdied the par-3 sixth, the second time she had picked a shot on a par-3, but just as the finish neared, she erred and dropped a bogey on the eighth, her 17th hole of the day.

American Mallory Fraiche was leading the field in Group A with a card of seven-under 67, followed by amateur Emily Taylor (67) and Thai pro Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai (68) and Julia Davidson (68).

In Group B, Jacqueline Hedwall of Sweden led the field with a card of 66 while Maha Haddiqui (67) was second and Melissa Eaton and amateur Elisabetta Bertini carded 68 each.

The 154 players who are playing the First Stage Pre-qualifying have been divided into two groups of 77 players each from which the top 45 and ties will move to the Final Stage.

The First Stage is being played from December 6 to 9 and then the five-round Final Stage will be played from December 13 to 17.