The Hero Women’s Indian Open burst into action on Thursday, and it was home favorite Vani Kapoor who immediately seized control, showcasing exceptional skill and intimate knowledge of the DLF Golf and Country Club to deliver a stellar performance.
Kapoor, the 31-year-old Indian pro who frequently hones her game on this very course, navigated the challenging layout with remarkable precision. Despite softer greens and slower fairways, she fired an impressive five-under 67, her round highlighted by numerous birdies and only a solitary dropped shot on the second hole, setting a formidable pace for the rest of the field.
Just one stroke behind Kapoor, a pair of emerging talents are making their presence felt: 16-year-old amateur Zara Anand and Singapore’s Shannon Tan. Tan, currently second on the Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit and last year’s runner-up, showcased her intent with a strong front nine, demonstrating her ambition to climb to the top this season.
The course conditions proved demanding for many, with only 16 of the 109 golfers managing to finish their first round at par or better. Defending champion Liz Young faced a particularly tough day, concluding with a 77 after struggling with double bogeys and several dropped shots. Former champion Chamille Chevalier of France also found herself further down the leaderboard, while Mimi Rhodes, a strong contender for the tour’s top position, finished tied 56th with a four-over par.
Leading Scores After Round 1:
- 67: Vani Kapoor (India)
- 68: Zara Anand (Amateur, India), Shannon Tan (Singapore), Verena Gimmy (Germany)
- 69: Alice Hewson (England)
- 70: Durga Nittur (India), Romy Meekers (Netherlands), Hitaashee Bakshi (India), Sara Kouskova (Czech Republic), Alessia Nobilio (Italy)
- 71: Chiara Tamburlini (Switzerland), Sarah Schober (Austria), Kelsey Bennett (Australia), Lisa Pettersson (Sweden), Anna Zanusso (Italy), Agathe Sauzon (France)
- 72: Trichat Cheenglab (Thailand), Luna Sobron Galmes (Spain), Maddison Hinson-Tolchard (Australia), Klara Davidson Spilkova (Czech Republic), Eleanor Givens (England), Pranavi Urs (India), Meghan MacLaren (England)