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

Vani Kapoor, just 18, turned a professional at the start of the season, and is now on top of the Order of Merit, moving ahead of Sharmila Nicollet. Vani holds a lead of just over Rs. 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, is third at Rs. 2,90,000.

Nalini Singh Siwach and Neha Trripathi are fourth and fifth.

Vani, who won a pro event last year while still being an amateur, had two sub-par rounds in the third leg at the challenging 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.

At the challenging Prestige Golfshire she had two sub-par rounds, as against none by any of the other women. She 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 the Hero-WGAI Order of Merit
1. Vani Kapoor 353750
2. Sharmila Nicollet 347500
3. Smriti Mehra 290000
4. Nalini Singh (Siwach) 232500
5. Neha Tripathi 217500

By Indian Sports News Network