Vani leads at Hero Women’s Indian Open as Indians start well

Vani Kapoor made good use of her familiarity with the DLF course to take the first day lead at the Hero Women’s Indian Open on Thursday. Image courtesy of HWIO.

By Rahul Banerji

Vani Kapoor made her best start at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, leading the field by a shot at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon on Thursday.

Vani, who has never missed the cut in her previous twelve appearances at her National Open, put together an eye-catching 5-under par 67 on her home course, balancing six birdies against a lone drop shot.

There were as many as four Indians in the Top 10, including amateur Zara Anand in joint second place, making it a rare day for the home contingent.

Vani’s win on Thursday included a hat-trick of birdies on the back nine as she held her nerves on the final stretch. Her best finish at the event was a tie for sixth place in 2017.

“I think the key here is to keep the ball in play, but that’s easier said than done,” Vani said later.

“After today’s round I definitely feel more confident. It’s good to get good grades and make sure I’m on the right track.

“I just want to repeat what I did today, step by step. Enjoy this week. Try not to get overwhelmed.”

Good opportunity

Zara, who made the move last year, added: “It’s been pretty good. I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and hope to continue with them.”

“I played the WGAI domestic event here two weeks ago. Unfortunately I lost in the playoff, but it was a good way to get familiar with the course.”

Amateur prodigy Zara Anand brought her A-game to the DLF Golf and Country Club to share second place after the first 18 holes on Thursday. Image courtesy of HWIO.

Singapore’s Shannon Tan and Germany’s Verena Gimmy, who finished joint second in 2024, tied for second place alongside Zara, who will study in the US next year, with rounds of 4-under 68.

Zara was three over after her first eight holes, but fought back magnificently to take seven shots in the last ten holes, including six on the front nine.

Short period

Verena was briefly tied with Vani for the lead before falling back with a late bogey, mixing five birdies with one bogey in her opening round.

A total of 16 of a remaining field of 109 were under par after two shots and a further nine were at par 72 level.

Besides Vani and Zara, Durga Nittur and Hitaashee Bakshi returned as second under 70 for a shared sixth place.

Pranavi URS (72) was T17, Avani Prashanth (73) tied at 26th, WHILE Tvesa Malik, Amandeep Drall and Heena Kang with 74s were at 35th^e place.

Diksha Dagar, the leading Indian in the LET rankings, had a tough day, carding 6 over 78 and tied for 82nd.

Also read: Tan gears up for HWIO 2025 as Indians rely on fame

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