Bangalore, Sep 24 (IANS): Kolkata's Neha Tripathi took pole position, pushing local favourite Sharmila Nicollet to second spot after the first round of the 12th leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour at the Prestige Golfshire here Wednesday. Shweta Galande was third.

Neha carded four under 68 with seven birdies, five of which came in the back nine. She sank birdies on the sixth, eighth, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 16th holes and had three bogeys on the third, fourth and fifth to seal the top spot.

Sharmila, who is making a comeback after an injury layoff, sank four birdies in the front nine and added another two in the back nine to finish at two under 70. She carded birdies on the third, seventh, eighth, ninth, 13th and 16th.

Shweta was the surprise package as she quietly finished at one under 71 with four birdies, all coming in the back nine.

Vani Kapoor was fourth with one over 73 while Gursimar Badwal, with two over 74, finished fifth.

Saaniya Sharma and Ankita Tiwana were tied at sixth position with identical scores of three over 75. Smriti and Pallavi Jain, both with scores of four over 76, are tied eighth.

The Rs.5 lakh event is the 12th leg of the Tour which comprises 15 legs.