Melissa leads women’s open

il.co.zm” class=”f”>Zambia Daily Mail by Online Editor on 6/7/13

By CECILIA ZULU
ZAMBIA’s Melissa Nawa has taken a commanding lead after the opening day of the Zambia Open Ladies Golf championship with an impressive 73 par at Lusaka Golf Club.
Nawa, whose form somewhat dipped during the East and Central Africa championship at the same venue three days ago due to an injury, was back to her tip-top form yesterday.
Defending champion Devanshi Naik shot 77 four over for an overnight second slot and is still in contention for the title of the three-round competition.
“It’s the first day, I can’t say much. But the scores are alright.  I think I am comfortable with them, especially that it’s my first day in the competition,” Naik said after the round.
Close behind was Uganda’s Flavia Namakula, who shot 79 six over.
Namakula, the top scorer in the East and Central, promised to improve her performance in today’s game after finishing on 79 six over par.
“My shots were too bad. I made so too many boogies.   I wish I had controlled the ball. But the fact is that the tournament is tough.  If I can do better in the remaining rounds, I may win it,” she said.
Tina Nawa, Melissa’s teenage sister, finished on 87 gross while Zambia Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU) president Moono Mwila carded 89.
In the silver division, Chola Oka stood at 97 gross, Caroline Masisani at 98 and Kwalombota Kekelwa was at 99 gross.
By press time, some golfers were still on the course.
The tournament, which has attracted 104 golfers, enters round two today.