Placed comfortably ahead with a 13-stroke advantage after round two, the 19-year-old rode onto her second successive title despite an ordinary final-round performance of two-over 74 here at the Karnataka Golf Association.
Sharmilla signed off at three-over 219 while her nearest rival Saaniya Sharma, who also submitted a 74, was 13 strokes away. Seasoned campaigner Rani Sonti (75) was third at 234.
Expecting to blitz her way to title at her home course, Sharmila was watched throughout by her family members, including mother and grandfather. But, to their dismay, the teenager faltered miserably, sinking five bogeys as against three birdies.
She struggled to come to terms with her putting, reading the line incorrectly or unable to control the pace on the quick greens on a number of occasions. In fact, the four bogeys came when the youngster two-putted from two feet, leaving her mom seething.
“Yes, today my putting was horrible,”accepted Sharmila. “It’s probably because I attacked a lot today. But I am so delighted to win at my home course and my consistency throughout the tournament is what made the difference. But, the short game needs improvement and I have three more weeks to work on it.”
Sharmila dropped her first stroke for the day on the par-4 fourth and was unlucky to bogey the fifth when the ball lipped out from three feet. She quickly put an end to the bogey-spree, sinking a four-foot birdie on the par-4 sixth.
She then set up a great birdie chance on the par-5 11th when a chip from a yard outside the green landed the ball a feet from the pin and Sharmila completed the job without any mistake. Just then the wheels appeared to fall off as she bogeyed the 12th and 13th -- missing par putts from less than two feet.
However, showing no signs of pressure Sharmila sank her best birdie of the day on the par-4 16t with a spectacular 13-foot chip-in. A bogey on the 18th somewhat made the day bitter, but victory was sweet nonetheless.
Leading score (after 54 holes): 219: Sharmila Nicollet (74, 71, 74); 232: Saaniya Sharma (80, 78, 74), 234: Rani Sonti (78, 81, 75); 235: Nalini Singh Siwach (78, 80, 77), 241: Pallavi Jain (79, 80, 820), 243: Preetinder Kaur (79, 82, 82), Nikita Arjun (80, 78, 85).
Amateurs: 243: Nikita Arjun; 255: Anisha Padukone (91, 81, 83); 257: Tvesa Malik (83, 86, 88).