DLF Golf & Country Club member Vani Kapoor expects to thrive on local support when she plays on her home course in this week’s Hero Women’s Indian Open beginning on Friday.
The current leader of the domestic tour, the Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI) Order of Merit, Vani said: “I definitely have an advantage with the home crowd supporting me. I have played quite a bit on the course and it looks amazing and beautiful. I think the key would be to place your shots properly and I think that will lead to less errors. That’s the plan, so we’ll see. The course is pretty tight and I’m a straight hitter in good form so I hope it keeps going and I can meet everyone’s expectations and my expectations especially!”
The 21-year-old from Gurgaon enjoyed a hole in one at the 12th in a practice round and added: The course is extremely beautiful: I’ve never seen a course like this in India. We don’t really expect a course of this sort. It’s extremely challenging, the most challenging golf course in India so I’m happy to be a part of DLF. It’s really tight and playing in great condition.
“The 17th hole is the talk of the town. As I said, we really need to place our shots. On that hole there are certain places where you should keep away, because if you go there, an up and down is just not possible at all. A two putt is good. Attacking the pin would be dangerous.”
Having won four events and been seven times a runner-up on the domestic circuit, Vani plans to attend the Ladies European Tour’s Lalla Aicha Tour School to earn her place for 2016.
“This tournament really inspired me. Sitting here with Melissa Reid, Cheyenne Woods and Gwladys Nocera, I feel proud and I guess that I have a lot of opportunities. This tournament being at my home course, hopefully it will be easier to make a mark and take the next step.”
A graduate in psychology and sociology, she spends her down time listening to music, meeting up with friends and reading and has learned to control her temper on the course. “It has helped me a lot and I hope to have a good week and vow not disappoint the local supporters,” she says.
