Vani Kapoor takes narrow lead into final round in Jaipur

Vani Kapoor kept her composure on a steady day at the Rambagh Golf Club, carding a 2-under 68 to move into the sole lead after the second round of the 14th Leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour.

The four-time winner this season picked up just two birdies but parred every other hole, reaching 4-under 136 for two rounds — one shot ahead of Jasmine Shekar, who followed up her opening 69 with a 68 at the par-70 layout.

Vidhatri Urs (70-68) climbed to third at 2-under 138, while Ridhima Dilawari (71-68), Sneha Singh (70-69), and Shagun Narain (68-71) shared fourth at 1-under 139.

Vani, one of three overnight leaders, played a flawless front nine of pars and continued her run until she broke through with birdies on the par-3 13th and par-5 14th. Four closing pars sealed her second straight 68 as she edged closer to a fifth title of the season.

Jasmine stayed consistent despite a bogey on the par-5 eighth, offset by birdies on the third, 16th, and 17th. Vidhatri also shot a 68 with four birdies and two bogeys, matching the day’s best score alongside four others.

Ridhima mixed an eagle on the par-5 14th with two birdies and two bogeys for her 68, while Sneha had four birdies against three bogeys. Shagun, who shared the first-round lead, made four birdies on the back nine but slipped with three bogeys and a double on the closing 18th.

Amandeep Drall (72-68) was seventh at even-par 140 after birdies on all three par-5s, while comeback contender Jahanvi Bakshi fell to eighth at 141 after dropping three shots over her final two holes. Astha Madan (71-71) was ninth.

Five players — Khushi Khanijau, Smriti Bhargava, Neha Tripathi, Kriti Chowhan, and amateur Riya Jadon — were tied for tenth at 4-over 144. The cut came at 151, with 25 players advancing to the final round.

Photo – Vani Kapoor/WGAI