WPGT 2026: Bogey-free Ridhima takes lead in 10th Leg
Kolar, July 15
Ridhima Dilawari, who won three of the first six events this season, fired a bogey-free 4-under 68 to lead three players by one after the first round of the 10th leg of the Women's Pro Golf Tour at the Zion Hills Golf Course in Kolar on Wednesday.
Ridhima, who was T-8 and T-9 in the last two legs, led by one over last week's winner, Vani Kapoor, the experienced Amandeep Drall, and Vidhatri Urs, who is looking to recover her form and rhythm. The trio shot 3-under 69 and were chasing Ridhima hard.
Ridhima, who is working towards finding a place back on the Ladies European Tour and getting in good form ahead of the LET event Women's Indian Open later this year, birdied the opening hole and then parred the next eight. She added birdies on the tenth, 13th, and 14th and closed with pars on the last four.
Vani Kapoor, five-time winner last year, had seven birdies, but she also gave away two bogeys and a double bogey in her round of 69.
Vidhatri Urs, who had three wins in a row in 2024, her first year as a pro, had six birdies against three bogeys for her 69, while Amandeep Drall had five birdies against back-to-back bogeys on the seventh and eighth.
Saanvi Somu, who has been knocking on the door of her first win on the Women's Pro Golf Tour, first as an amateur and now as a pro, was all alone in fifth place with a 1-under 71, with one bogey on the front nine and two birdies on the back nine.
Ananya Datar and Kashika Misra carded even-par 72 each to tie for sixth place, while Mannat Brar and Riya Jadon shared eighth place with 1-over 73 each.
A big bunch of six players, Prakruthi Sastry, Jasmine Shekar, Shagun Narain, Neha Tripathi, and amateurs Ananthi Vivek and Ananyaa Sood, shared 10th place. Ananthi plays at Zion Hills and trains with Tarun Sardesai here. All carded 2-over 74 each.
Among the big names further behind were Tvesa Malik (75) in Tied-16th alongside young Lavanya Jadon.
Fresh off her maiden victory of the 2026 season, Vani Kapoor is looking to build on her winning momentum in the 10th leg of the Women's Pro Golf Tour (WPGT).
Vani produced a superb final-round comeback to clinch the ninth leg last week and now returns in search of consecutive titles. She will begin her campaign alongside promising youngster Mannat Brar and amateur Tanishka Prithvi in the opening round.
The experienced campaigner is expected to face a stern challenge from an in-form field led by three-time 2026 winner Ridhima Dilawari, Amandeep Drall, who mounted a strong title bid last week, seasoned professional Tvesa Malik, and Saanvi Somu, who has been sharpening her game with regular appearances on the Ladies Access Tour in Europe.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting to see Vidhatri Urs making a strong comeback after her three wins in 2024. She's still just a second-year pro, and already competing at this level. The depth in Indian women's golf is really growing.
Vani is such a fighter! Last week's comeback win was incredible. But she needs to cut down those bogeys and double bogeys if she wants to consistently challenge for titles. Still, 7 birdies in one round shows she has the game.
Lovely to see so many young Indian women making a mark in golf. Saanvi Somu has been knocking on the door for a while - hope she gets her maiden win soon. Also great to see amateurs like Ananthi Vivek in the mix. The future is bright!
Kolar seems to be producing great golf. Ridhima's bogey-free round is truly impressive - 68 with no dropped shots is world-class stuff. Would love to see more coverage of these events on TV. Women's sport needs more visibility.
Exciting leaderboard! Three players just one shot behind. Tomorrow's round will be crucial. Amandeep Drall has been consistent, and Vidhatri is clearly finding her rhythm again. This is going to be a cracker of a tournament! 🏆
K