Vizag, Feb 7 (IANS): Sneha Singh produced three birdies in a span of four holes on the back nine of the East Point Golf Club to take a two-shot lead at the end of the first round of the fourth Leg of Women’s Pro Golf Tour.

Sneha Singh, winner of the second leg this season, shot 2-under 70 at the par-72 course and was the only player to score under par.

Her arch-rival Hitaashee Bakshi, who also has one win this season, was tied for second with Khushi Khanijau, who began strongly. Hitaashee and Khushi carded 72 each.

Ridhima Dilawari was sole fourth at 74 despite a disappointing run of three bogeys in a row on the front nine.

Amateur Zara Anand, making a rare appearance in a pro event, performed well with 2-over 74 and was tied fifth alongside Ananya Garg and Jasmine Shekar.

Sneha Singh had as many as five birdies, the most on the first day. She opened with a birdie but dropped a shot on the second. She birdied ninth to turn in 1-under. On the back nine, after a bogey on 10th which brought her to even par, Sneha picked three birdies quickly on 11th, 13th and 14th. A late bogey saw her finish at 70.

Hitaashee, who now leads the Hero Order of Merit, had two birdies against two bogeys, while Khushi had one birdie and no bogeys in the first 14 holes. Then she dropped shots on 15th and 17th but birdied the 18th to ensure a par round.

Trimann Saluja (75) was eighth. Seher Atwal, Yaalisai Verma and Rhea Jha were tied ninth at 76 each.