Vani Kapoor: Being No.1 means a lot to me

Vani Kapoor spoke to Anand Datla in this exclusive interview for Golfing Indian

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Vani Kapoor spoke to Anand Datla in this exclusive interview for Golfing Indian

November 23, 2015: Vani Kapoor is in many ways the face of Indian golf for women. She has been a flag bearer for the game, having been the dominant woman golfer in India. In this exclusive interview with Golfing Indian, Vani speaks of her success this season and aspirations for the future.

GI: Congratulations Vani on another terrific season of golf. It is safe to say now that your position at the top of the Hero Order of Merit is a sealed deal. What does this mean to you as a professional?

Vani Kapoor: Retaining my number 1 position for two years in a row means a lot to me. The happiness of the hard work paying off, the feeling of achieving one of my goals gives me more motivation, strength, drive to make my next huge step to the tournaments abroad and achieving my next set of goals.

GI: There are always a small group of people who contribute to the success of an athlete. Who are the people behind your career as a golfer?

VK: Can’t be grateful enough to my parents for introducing me to this wonderful sport and always supporting me. My coach Anitya chand for holding hands with me and taking me towards my destination. My physios and doctors to keep my body and health in place. I often land up to them and say please make me fit I just have 2 days to be okay. They always manage to do so:) My sponsors – DLF and Callaway.

WGAI – for giving me a platform to show case my talent.

GolfingIndian for extremely being supportive. Last but not the least a few friends for always believing in me and motivating me.

GI: You have enjoyed a lot of success this season. But your lowest winning score was at the BPGC, Mumbai for the fifth leg. You were one over there with 69-70-72 on your card. Was that your best performance or did you think you were much better in golfing terms elsewhere?

VK: Yes that was my lowest winning scoring but I have shot other under par rounds as well. The best one being at ITC classic shooting a 10 under for 3 days. That was the best week of the year for me.

GI: The average scores of Indian women golfers at still in over par territory. Even last week, 10-over was enough to get you past the finish line? What do you think is needed to see our golfers post lower scores?

VK: We need to learn how to score on courses even when the greens are slow. The only answer to lower scores would be more hard work.

GI: Aditi Ashok is showing plenty of promise, even winning at the KGA in Bengaluru and making her debut on the LPGA. Have you followed her progress and what do you think of her game?

VK: Yes I have been following her progress and would like to congratulate her and wish her the very best for the future.

GI: If you had to pick an aspect as your strongest link on the golf course, what would it be?

VK: That’s a tough question! I am a very accurate hitter so That is my strong point. My chipping and putting is my strength too! At the same time being mentally strong is a plus point.

GI: What are your other interests outside of golf?

VK: I love listening to music. It is something that relaxes me.

GI: Can you think ahead and discuss some of your goals for 2016?

VK: My goals for next year would be to be number one again for sure in India. Along with that I want to play many tournaments outside of india and bring down my world ranking to top 400 in the world. A win abroad would be an icing on the cake.

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