Smriti to lead Indian challenge

Top female golfer Smriti Mehra and rising star Sharmila Nicollet will spearhead the Indian challenge in the Hero Honda Women’s Indian Open golf tournament beginning November 11. Nicollet,who has won three times on the Women’s Indian Tour this year,and Smriti will have to fight it out with Laura Davies,Lee Ann Pace and Melissa Reid — the top-three on the Ladies European Tour.

The result at the $300,000 event could well decide the champion golfer in both Europe and Asia. Laura Davies,with 78 titles worldwide including four Majors,is currently leading the Order of Merit and will have to contend with Pace and Reid as the threesome lands in India early next month. The winner of the season-long race for the Henderson Money List title will receive a 10-year exemption to the Ladies European Tour.