Vani grabs lead on day one

Favourite Vani Kapoor established a two-stroke lead after the first round of the ninth leg of the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour, which teed off at the Clover Greens course here on Wednesday.

Vani ended the day on one-under 70, with nearest-rival Amandeep Drall carding one-over 72. Afshan Fatima, Gauri Monga and Shweta Galande are joint-third on two-over 73.

Vani started well, recording three birdies in her first seven holes. But she encountered a few hiccups as the round progressed. The Delhi professional, who blazed her way to a 16-shot victory in the previous leg, emerged as the only player in the field with a sub-par score.

Two late birdies for Amandeep, who won this event last year, helped to narrow the lead. It was a disappointing day in the office for Sharmila Nicollet. The local lass carded a six-over 77, which left her joint-ninth.

The scores (top-eight, after 18 holes): Vani Kapoor 70; Amandeep Drall 72; Afshan Fatima, Gauri Monga, Shweta Galande 73; Saaniya Sharma, Ankita Tiwana 74; Neha Tripathi 76.