Caroline hits form; Aditi slips

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Last year's champion Caroline Hedwall once again sent a clear message of returning to form to her fellow golfers in the Ladies European Tour. Bengaluru girl Aditi Ashok stumbled on Saturday after her stunning joint-lead performance in the opening round.

The 14-year-old Aditi (69, 74) was tied at 10th as six Indians made the cut on Day 2. Nalini Singh Siwach (73, 74), at tied 33rd, was the best pro, while Sharmila Nicollet (73, 76) and Vani Kapoor (75, 75) were tied 43rd and 47th, respectively.

Former LPGA player Smriti Mehra (82, 75), however, missed out. Ruthless Swede cards career best As fortunes swayed on the penultimate day of the $300,000 Hero Women's Indian Open, the ruthless Swede, Caroline, sizzled with a career best 10-under 62 enough to better the DLF course record of 65 set by veteran Laura Davies in 2010.

Starting the day in 47th place, Caroline zoomed to second even as Thai Pornanong Phatlum and Bee Arthur of Australia jointly led the field at seven under 137.

Caroline, who won a title in Austria in September after her comeback from a hip injury, is now one shot off the pace at six-under 138 in the LET sanctioned event.

For Pornanong too, it was an impressive comeback moving from tied 14th to the top with a seven-under 65.

She also put herself in a strong position to be a first three-time winner at the Open. The cut came at eight-over 152 and 71 players, including three amateurs, made it to the final day.

Caroline (76, 62), who struggled on the grainy greens on Day One, was also in the zone sinking nine birdies, an eagle (on the par-5 6th hole) against one bogey.

“I hit a lot of short irons into the greens. And I am pretty good at that, which gave me a lot of birdie opportunities. It’s basically putting which made the difference today. I hit it pretty close today and didn’t make many errors. I was comfortable on the greens today.

Yesterday I was trying to hit it close and put pressure on my irons. Today I was just relaxed,” Caroline said.