Amandeep, Vani lead Indian challenge in Women's Indian Open

Amandeep Drall and Vani Kapoor will be keen to keep Indian Open title at home as the country's only Ladies European Tour (LET) golf tournament tees off at the DLF Golf and Country Club here on Friday.

The flagship event -- co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI) -- will see 114 professionals from around the globe vie for top honours with an Indian yet to claim the title.

However, a 17-member Indian contingent seems eager to buck the trend.

Both Amandeep and Vani are in fine fettle and are expected to hold their own in a star studded field that includes the likes of Brittany Lincicome, LET Order of Merit leader Beth Allen and defending Champion Emily Pedersen.

Amandeep currently leads the Order of Merit with total earnings of Rs.10,61,534 with four victories in 12 appearances this season.

She would also like to draw inspiration from the fact that she won the last domestic tour event at the same venue last month.

"It was good to get some practice before the Indian Open," Amandeep said on Thursday, in a release.

She added, "It is a big advantage that we are playing in home conditions and I am confident coming into the tournament and will try my best to get good scores."

Vani has claimed six titles on the Women's Professional Golf Tour and is currently placed second in the money list with total earnings on Rs.10,21,150 in 12 outings.

She also finished tied fifth in the Hong Kong Ladies Open. She will be playing on her home course and is pleased with her form and wants to keep it simple during the event.

"I have happy with my form and it is an advantage to play on your home course but I don't want to think too much about it. I just want to enjoy myself during the game and don't want to get ahead of myself," Vani said.

--IANS

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