Vani Kapoor starts 2016 with victory in Ahmedabad

The first leg of the Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour saw a brilliant come from behind effort from Vani Kapoor

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A brilliant come from behind effort saw Vani Kapoor win the first leg by three shots

January 07, 2015: India’s top ranked golfer, Vani Kapoor was lying in third at the end of two rounds at the Kensville Golf and Country Club in Ahmedabad. She was two behind the leaders, Mehar Atwal and Kiran Matharu, but an excellent round of golf on Thursday saw Vani leapfrog the field and clinch a three shot victory. In a blemishless ending, Vani shot a bogey free 69 in the final round to start the season with victory.

Vani Kapoor collects the winners cheque at Kensville Golf Club
Vani Kapoor collects the winners cheque at Kensville Golf Club
The victory in Ahmedabad will help Vani strengthen her position as the top ranked professional in India. Kapoor, who celebrated her 22nd birthday on Wednesday, signed off from the first tournament of the season with an overall score of 7-over 223.

The Delhi based golfer marched through the front nine without dropping a shot as she set herself up for a strong finish. Her first birdie of the day came at the 320 yard 12th hole. Vani also gained shots at the 14th and 16th holes.

She dropped the ball in the water at the final hole, but salvaged par to keep a clean sheet and race to a comfortable victory over Matharu. “I was determined to win today,” said Vani in a quick conversation with Golfing Indian.

“I knew the course was playing tough, so I wanted to make the greens today and see where that leaves me. I made, I think, 15 greens in regulation,” added Vani, revealing the secret of her final round effort.

Mehar played well in the first two rounds, but her hopes started to melt away pretty early on Thursday. She dissolved into the crowd amidst a flurry of bogeys. Three pairs of double bogey followed by a bogey at the first, fourth and eighth holes meant that she took 46 shots to get through the front nine.

Atwal wasn’t in the reckoning after that and three more bogeys on her way to the clubhouse saw her make an 85, dropping into a tie for sixth with Smriti Mehra.

Kiran made a double bogey six at the 367 yard second hole, but back to back birdies at three and four followed by another gained shot at the 8th hole left her firmly in contention for glory. But bogeys at 11, 12 and 14 put paid to her hopes of starting the season with a win.

Saaniya Sharma impressed for a second day running, but her scores of 80-75-73 were only enough to see her finish in third behind Vani and Kiran.

Gursimar Badwal and Amandeep Drall tied for fourth after making 73 and 75 respectively. Badwal was impressive, sailing at two under par through 13 holes, before conceding three bogeys on the final stretch.

Shweta Galande and Neha Tripathi finished only ninth and tenth, but they had their moments under the Sun. Shweta made an eagle at the 425 yard 14th hole, while Neha made hers at the 495 yard ninth hole.

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