Sharmila tied 43rd, Smriti 56th in Sanya Open Golf

SANYA - A double bogey towards the closing stages spoiled what was looking to be fine opening round for Indias Sharmila Nicollet, who ended the first day with a two-over 74 in the Euro 200,000 Sanya Ladies Open at the Yalong Bay Friday.

Sharmila, who is using the event to tune up for the women’s Indian Open early next month, is tied at 43rd place in the tournament.

The more experienced Smriti Mehra paid the price of an erratic front nine and ended with a three-over 75 in tied 56th place.

Austrias Stefanie Michl shot a career best score of 7-under 65 to take a three-shot lead in the opening round.

South African Lee-Anne Pace, who has confirmed her participation in the Indian Open, stayed on course to move from second to top place on the Ladies European Order of Merit, as she was placed second with Florentyna Parker of England and Norways Cecilie Lundgreen. They shot identical 68s.

A quartet comprising Tania Elosegui from Spain, Marjet van der Graaf of Netherlands, Canadas Samantha Richdale and Chinas Yang Hongmei played a three-under 69 to jointly sit on fifth spot.

Two-time winner of the Indian Open, Phatlum Pornanong of Thailand was lying tied at 17th with a round of even par 72.