Vani earns ALPG playing rights
25-year-old Vani Kapoor became the first Indian golfer to earn playing rights on the Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) Tour after coming through its first-ever Qualifying Tournament at the Ballarat Golf Club.
Vani shot rounds of 71, 78 and 69 to finish at two-over 218 and was tied-12th with three others. The top-20 from a field of 81 earned playing rights on the ALPG Tour. Other Indian girls who took part but were unable to earn their cards were Diksha Dagar (T-30) Astha Madan (T-37) and Ridhima Dilawari (T-57).
“My focus is just to play as many tournaments as possible and become better; I would love to play everywhere,” an elated Vani told Golf Digest India.
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Last year, in December, Vani Kapoor had earned herself playing rights for the Ladies European Tour too.
The rare “Korda Slam” that happened
Clockwise from top-left: Petr Korda, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda and Sebastian Korda
20-year-old Nelly Korda had every reason to jump in style after her win at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open on January 17. Her two-stroke win (and her second LPGA Tour) victory meant she had completed a family grand slam.
Nelly is the second daughter of tennis star Petr Korda, who won his only major at the 1998 Australian Open. Her brother Sebastian, who follows in their father’s footsteps, won the boys’ singles Down Under last year. And her sister Jessica, a pro golfer, won the Women’s Australian Open at Royal Melbourne in 2012.
“I think there’s something in the air here in Australia,” she was quoted as saying. “I’m just happy to finally be a part of the club. I kind of felt left out. But I was playing all day for my parents, and I’m really proud of that.”
IGU announces Queen Sirikit Cup Team
Selection trials for the 41st Queen Sirikit Cup—scheduled at Glenelg Golf Club, Adelaide from March 6-8—were conducted over six legs divided between Noida Golf Course and Jaypee Greens Golf Course from January 26-30.
Seven girls were in contention, of whom Anika Varma (14 years), Jahanvi Bakshi (18) and Hitaashee Bakshi (14) were selected to represent India. Last year in Thailand, the Indian contingent comprising Anika Varma, Diksha Dagar and Pranavi Urs finished sixth.
Tvesa and Ridhima post wins on local circuit
23-year-old Tvesa Malik of Gurgaon, who won the Hero Order of Merit last year, totalled 216 (72-71-73) to win her first title of 2019 in the third leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at Kensville Golf & Country Club, Ahmedabad (February 4-7). Amandeep Drall finished second 15 strokes behind, making this the second-biggest victory margin on Hero WPGT ever. Vani Kapoor holds the tour record: a 16-shot win at Eagleton Golf Resort in June 2016.
The following week, 20-year-old Ridhima Dilawari (218:72-73-73) rallied from a three-shot deficit to post a three-shot win over Gaurika Bishnoi in the fourth leg at Kalhaar Blues & Greens, Ahmedabad (February 12-15).