Vani Kapoor lands fifth title of year

Delhi’s Vani Kapoor saw off a challenge from Gursimar Badwal and Smriti Mehra to secure the winner’s cheque in the 17th Leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour at the Noida Golf Course on Friday. Hero Order of Merit leader Vani, who led throughout the tournament, was not in the best of form on the final day and she had three birdies against eight bogies but it was still good enough for her fifth title of the year.

The Delhi professional ended with a total score of 226 after 54 holes, to give her victory by a slender margin of one stroke over Gursimar.

Kapurthala’s Gursimar, who started the day tied first, came up with an effort of six-over 78, carding a birdie-less front nine with two bogies and a double. She began her back nine with a birdie three more bogies quashed her chances of a maiden title.

Kolkata’s Smriti Mehra and Delhi’s Gauri Monga ended on 229 to finish tied third. Smriti started tied first an eight-over par score ion the day saw her slip out of contention.

Gauri’s round of 5 over 77 included two birdies against five bogies along with a double.Kolkata’s Neha Tripathi returned 81 to total 232 after the final day. Her error-prone round included six bogies and two doubles against a lone birdie.

Overseas player Kiran Matharu shot a one over 73, the best score of the day. Kiran, who returned to the tour after a gap of five months, fired four birdies while dropping three shots along with a double.

She finished with a total score of 234 after 54 holes. Her tally of four birdies was the best on the day.Delhi’s Ankita Tiwana ended with 235 to finish seventh, followed by Panchkula’s Amandeep Drall in eighth place with 237.

Chandigarh’s Saaniya Sharma and amateur Tavleen Batra had totals of 240 to tie for ninth place.The tour now moves to Jaipur for the final event of the season at Rambagh Golf Club.