Kiran out to defend title

Kiran is expected to face a stiff challenge from the likes of Smriti Mehra, Saaniya Sharma and Gursimar Badwal.

Overseas golfer Kiran Matharu will look to defend her title in the 3rd leg of the Hero women’s professional golf tour when the Rs 6,00,000 tournament gets under way at the historic Royal Calcutta Golf Club from Wednesday.

Kiran would like to draw inspiration from the fact that she registered her maiden win on the Tour at the same venue last year.

The event, which culminates on Friday, will feature 16 professionals and lone amateur Tvesa Malik.

Kiran has been in good form and is currently placed second in the 2016 Hero Order of Merit in two appearances. She finished runner-up behind Delhi youngster Vani Kapoor in both the events at Ahmedabad, and will be the firm favourite at RCGC in Vani’s absence. Vani and Amandeep Drall are currently playing in Australia.

Kiran will be up against a strong field, and is expected to face a stiff challenge from the likes of Smriti Mehra, Saaniya Sharma and Gursimar Badwal.

Kapurthala’s Badwal is currently placed fourth in the money list, followed by Chandigarh’s Saaniya Sharma in fifth place. Both players are expected to push hard for a victory at the event.

Kolkata pro Smriti Mehra is currently placed eighth on the money list, and would like to see her name move up in the Order of Merit.

Hero Motocorp sponsored Bengaluru golfer Sharmila Nicollet will make a comeback to the Tour and will play her first event this year. She did not participate in the first two events, and will look to make an instant impact at RCGC.

Other players to look out for this week are Kolkata’s Neha Tripathi, Pune’s Shweta Galande and the Delhi duo of Mehar Atwal and Ankita Tiwana.