Nov 11, 2016: Vani Kapoor is a pocket powerhouse with the determination of a Spanish armada. Beneath her warm exterior is a steely woman intent on leaving her mark on the golf course. The leading domestic golfer was severely tested today, but in leaving the course with a finely composed birdie at the 18th she underlined her quiet determination to produce a good effort this week in the Hero Women’s Indian Open.
Vani Kapoor was just three off the pace with a battling one over 73 that contained a bogey on either stretch, mitigated partly by that confidence boosting birdie at the 18th hole.
Amateur Diksha Dagar produced a remarkable effort, shooting two over 74 in the first round. She ended her round in fading light on a day that saw some slow pace of golf all around.
Gaurika Bishnoi, who turned pro recently, also shot a respectable three over 75. Ankita Tiwana was five over 77 while another rookie professional, Siddhi Kapoor, a recent winner on the WGAI Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour was lying just above the projected cut line at six over 78.
Sifat Sagoo, the youngest golfer in the field was also six over, but she had three more holes to play as officials were considering a suspension for poor light.
Amandeep Drall will have work to do to restore herself into the weekend. She made a disappointing 79 on Friday, but she missed the cup by narrow margins on her final four holes, earning some much needed confidence going into the second round.
Tvesa Malik and Neha Tripathi will also look to rehabilitate themselves on Saturday after enduring rounds of 80 today.
Smriti Mehra struggled for rhythm all day, even suffering a triple bogey at the 400 yard par-3 12th hole. Her bleeding card of 82 was littered with nine bogeys, a triple and just two birdies.
Saaniya Sharma was a further stroke behind Simi, while Gursimar Badwal and Shweta Galande suffering a painful 12 over score of 84.
Amateur golfer Seher Atwal signed on an 86 while her elder sister Meher Atwal withdrew from the tournament midway through her first round due to an injury to her leg.
Afshan Fatima endured a lesson in conservative golf with a 92 on her card.
