It146;s all in the mind for Nalini

Nalini wrapped up her rookie season8217;s second win on the women8217;s professional tour on Friday, one off the lead when she started the final round at the fifth leg at the Golden Greens club in Gurgaon, but a winner by four in the end. 8220;My game was really steady today. I was a little off the lead, but I knew that if I didn8217;t make mistakes early on, I would be in with a chance. That8217;s exactly how I played,8221; she says.

Her first win, at the Delhi Golf Club in the season8217;s opening leg, had come in much different fashion, as she led from the first day to the last. She8217;s hasn8217;t gone out of the top three in the five tournaments till now: Two other second places at the second leg at the Qutab Golf Course and the third in Panchkula and a third place at Chandigarh.

The 19-year-old turned pro in November 2007, and watching the pros in the Indian Masters and the Indian Open, she knew there was work to be done on her game to make a mark in the professional grind. So in the off season, it was back to the drawing board, tweaking the swing with coach Anitya Chand, polishing the putting, and making sure that translated into a more controlled game when on the course.

8220;I know I have the technique. But golf is so much of a mind game, and that is the aspect I really want to strengthen now,8221; she says.

The third-year Mathematics Honours student at Venkateshwra College makes sure those the numbers on her other scorecard stay in check too; she scored a cool 82 per cent last year.