Vani moves into lead, in sight of third title on Hero WPGT 2017

Delhi golfer Vani Kapoor set herself up for her third title in four starts on the Hero WPGT Tour as she moved into sole lead at the end of the second round of the eighth leg of the Tour at the Clover Greens here on Thursday.

Returning from her trip to Thailand for the Ladies European Tour event, the dimunitive Vani shot an even par 71 to get one-under 141 and one shot ahead of amateur Ankita Kedlaya, who also shot a 71.

Overnight leader Gaurika Bishnoi, who also heads the Hero Order of Merit slipped to 73 after a bogey start and is also tied-second, one behind Vani.

Vani opened with a birdie and added another on 16th, while she bogeyed fifth and 10th. Ankita had three birdies, all on back nine, and three bogeys, two on front nine and one late on 17th hole. Gaurika had two birdies against four bogeys.

Panchkula golfer Amandeep Drall had a double bogey on her very first hole but did well to card 72 and lies fourth at 143, while seasoned Smriti Mehra exploded into great form with the day's best round of two-under 69 to get to sole fifth.

Neha Tripathi (72-74) was sixth, while Saaniya Sharma (75-72) and Anisha Padukone (75-72) were tied-seventh. Sharmila Nicollet (78-70), Mehar Atwal (78-70) and last week's winner Tvesa Malik (71-77) were all tied-ninth.

The final round will see Vani tee off in the company of Ankita and Gaurika. While Vani is looking for her third title of the year, Gaurika is searching for her second success and looking to stay ahead of the Order of Merit.

Ankita, still an amateur, is hunting for her first title against professionals.

--IANS

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