The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Smriti Mehra among contenders

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Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008
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Sport - Golf

Smriti Mehra among contenders

Rakesh Rao

GURGAON: Women’s professional golf is still in its infancy in India. The domestic season is just two seasons old and so far the winning scores have been high.

Given such a scenario, it will be unrealistic to expect an Indian to beat the field involving some of the European and Asian Tour regulars when the $120,000 DLF Women’s Indian Open begins here on Wednesday.

The DLF Golf and Country Club has hosted a few events on the domestic women’s professional circuit and Smriti Mehra has won them all.

Given her experience, the 35-year-old Florida-based campaigner remains the country’s best bet for the winner’s share of $18,000 on the three-day event.

Though Smriti is a sentimental favourite, the field includes several younger and better performers whose career records make them strong contenders than any of the Indians in the field.

Thailand Open winner Pornanong Phatlum, and fourth placed Chinese Ye Liying had done better than Smriti, who had finished tied ninth.

Adding depth

In addition, the presence of Australia’s Sunny Park, who expects the winning score to be around four or five under for 54 holes, Japan-based Brazilian Maria Priscila Iida, China’s Wang Chun, Yan Pan Pan, Japan’s Rei Shiraki, ‘rookie pro’ Yuki Sakurai and Britain’s trio of Fame More, Danielle Montgomery and Kiran Matharu adds the much-needed depth to the field.

At the same time, the chances of some of the lesser-known contenders from Chinese Taipei, Korea, Malaysia and China cannot be ruled out.

Irina can be in the hunt

Among the Indian professionals, only Irina Brar can be expected to be in the hunt.

Shalini Malik, second to Smriti on the last three domestic events, Nonita Lall Qureshi and Vandana Agarwal are among the most experienced Indian golfers.

The two fancied Indian amateurs, Tania Wadhawa and Sharmila Nicollet, would be followed with added interest.

Gurbani Singh, at 12 years and five months, will be the youngest in the field.

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