Bangalore, Sep 21 (IANS): Mehar Atwal kept her head on a difficult day and carded a 75 that helped her retain the lead at the end of the second round of the Usha Southern India Ladies Golf Championships here Wednesday.

Mehar, 17, had just one birdie but also dropped four bogeys, and stayed five shots clear of Vani Kapoor (75).

Mehar was still the only player under par at one-under 143 for two days, while Vani was at four-over 148.

She bogeyed the fourth, seventh and ninth and later birdied the tenth and then bogeyed the 14th and ended with a 75. Vani had three birdies on first, seventh and eighth, but none on the back nine.

However, she dropped far too many shots and let go of a chance to close in on Mehar. Vani dropped six bogeys, including four in a row from third to sixth.

Tvesa Malik retained her third place with around of 77 and 151 she was one ahead of Gurbani Singh (74), who had the best card of the day.

Aditi Ashok shot a second straight 76 and was lying tied with Gurbani at fourth, an improvement on her overnight sixth place.

Millie Saroha was lying sixth at 155 after rounds of 76 and 79.

Title sponsor Usha is also sponsoring the four regional tournaments and the All India Amateur Championships this year.