Neha Tripathi sets sights on third title

Kolkata pro Neha Tripathi will look to add to her tally of titles when she takes the field in the Hero-KGA women’s pro golf championship that begins in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

The Rs 6,00,000 event will feature 15 professionals and three amateurs at the par-72 Karnataka Golf Association course this week. Hero Order of Merit leader Vani Kapoor, however, will be missing from action as she has withdrawn on medical grounds.

Neha, currently second in the Order of Merit in nine appearances, will look to make the most of Vani’s absence. It will be an opportunity for her to move to the top of the money list.

Neha hasn’t been in the best of form in recent events, and will be eager to make an early impact at the KGA. The youngster from Kolkata, will however, have to be wary of the likes of Sharmila Nicollet, Amandeep Drall and Gursimar Badwal.

Panchkula’s Drall is fourth in the Order of Merit after six appearances, and one title. She has been a consistent performer and will look to annex her second win of the year.

Hero-MotoCorp sponsored Nicollet has struggled to get the ball rolling, and is still searching for her maiden title this season. She will be determined to make amends on her home course and is expected to give others a run for their money.

Kapurthala golfer Gursimar Badwal is third in the Order of Merit in nine appearances, with one win and one runner-up finish to her name. She will be keen to come up with another strong performance and move up the money list.

Others in the fray are Delhi’s Gauri Monga, Chandigarh’s Saaniya Sharma and Pune’s Shweta Galande. The event will also see Kolkata’s Siddhi Kapoor making her professional debut.