Vani ready for the big leap

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Rookie Vani Kapoor did not take long to bag her first professional title. Runner-up in her maiden pro appearance, Vani was tied fifth in the second and finally a convincing winner in her only third appearance as a professional.

The 18-year-old Vani turned professional at the start of the season and is now on top of the Women’s Golf Association of India’s Order of Merit, moving ahead of Sharmila Nicollet. Vani holds a lead of just over `6,000 over Sharmila, who skipped the event this week to play on the Ladies European Tour in Austria.
Vani has won Rs 3,53,750 in the three starts to Sharmila’s Rs 3, 47,500 and Smriti Mehra, winner of second leg, was third at Rs 2,90,000.
Nalini Singh Siwach and Neha Trripathi were fourth and fifth, respectively.
Vani, who won a pro event last year while still being an amateur, had two sub-par rounds in the third leg at the Prestige Golfshire course, where none of the other ladies managed a sub-par round. She won by a massive eight-shot margin and all doubts of her losing a four-shot lead in first leg disappeared with this fine performance.
Vani also shot one-under 71 on a wet and windy final day just as she did on first day.
“I felt I was ready for pro golf and hence decided to turn pro. I plan to play the European Tour Q-School later this year. The more I play, the better I will be with experience,” said a confident Vani.
“It will be great to top the Money List in my first year,” she added.
The Hero WGAI Tour moves to the Royal Springs in Srinagar for fourth leg next week.

Top five in Hero-WGAI Order of Merit
1. Vani Kapoor Rs 3,53,750
2. Sharmila Nicollet Rs 3,47,500
3. Smriti Mehra Rs 2,90,000
4. Nalini Singh (Siwach) Rs 2,32,500
5. Neha Tripathi Rs 2,17,500