Sharmila relishes LET cut

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Sharmila Nicolett

Ecstatic at retaining her LET card after finishing tied 17th at the Lalla Aicha Tour School final stage, Sharmila Nicolett feels the European lessons she learnt last year had started to show results.

“Now, I know what not to do, what to do, and where to improve. I think my approach has seen a few changes and it’s showing.
“I’m just overwhelmed right now with excitement. I’m super-happy that I managed to get in,” said Sharmila after her qualification, as the top 30 and ties won their Ladies European Tour card for 2013, on Monday.
Sharmila, who carded an even-par 72 on the final day, signed off the week at nine-under 351 in Morocco. She said her target, last week, was to shoot under-par cards.
“I didn’t play to my expectations but the good thing is I didn’t shoot any over par rounds. I think I accomplished my goal: I kept my card and I’m all set to get to as many events as possible next year.”
Despite the joy, the Bengaluru-based pro added, “I’m quite upset that there are not many other Indians that qualified, I wanted a whole group to be in.”
This is the second successive year that Sharmila qualified for the LET after a strong show. Last year, she finished in 30th place.
Sharmila has had an average season in 2012, where she made the cut only thrice. However, she is confident of turning the corner in the coming season.
Seasoned pro Smriti Mehra, however, missed the LET cut and will now get exemption to play three LET events next year, for being the top player on Hero Order of Merit Prize Money for 2012.
In seven starts on the LET, Smriti made the cut in four. Meanwhile, Smriti was named ‘Birdie Queen’ for 2012 for sinking the maximum number of birdies on the Hero Women’s Professional golf tour, while Vani Kapoor emerged as the ‘Rookie of the Year’.