Sharmila Nicollet shoots even par 71, makes cut in Morocco

Agadir (Morocco), March 24 (IANS) India's Sharmila Nicollet made her first cut of the season on the Ladies European Tour as she carded a second round 71 after a tough 75 in first round at the Lalla Meryem Cup here Saturday.

Nicollet, who shot 75 on the first day scored an even par 71 to make the cut and moved up from first round 84th place to tied 59th after second round. The third and final round will be played later Saturday evening. The cut came at four-over and 69 players made it.

Sharmila, who played her second round Saturday after play was cut short Friday, started from 10th and had a bogey on par-3 12th. She got that shot back with a birdie on 17th but then had a bogey on first and birdie on second. The birdie on eighth gave her breathing space and despite a bogey on par-3 ninth, her last hole of the round, she made the cut.

'It is indeed a relief to make a cut, because I was disappointed at missing out in New Zealand, where also I played in bad weather,' said Nicollet.

Norway's Marianne Skarpnord stayed in front after the second round was completed in better weather Saturday morning. She was a stroke ahead of Jade Schaeffer while English rookie Eleanor Givens continued to impress on her professional debut by signing off the second round with a four under 67.