Thaindian News

Noida, Nov 16 (IANS) Vani Kapoor extended her lead to two shots with a second successive round of three-over 75 in the Usha Northern India Ladies Golf here Wednesday.

She is now two shots clear of Gurbani Singh, who also replicated her first round of 76 to be second at 152, two behind Vani in the four-decade old tournament on the India Ladies Circuit.

Vani, who is hoping to get to the top of the Order of Merit on the IGU Circuit, has also been in good form while competing against the top pros in the country.

Vani had three bogeys in the front stretch, and one birdie and one bogey on the back nine in her 75.

Winner of the Sri Lankan Amateur Open Gurbani seemed in good nick, getting her three birdies on the front nine, including two on par-3. But she also dropped four bogeys on the back nine for a card of 76.

Aditi Ashok, champion at Malaysian open juniors, took advantage on a tough scoring day with a 77, as against 78 on first day, to move to third. She is now at 155, three behind second placed Gurbani.

Raksha Phadke (80) was fourth at 157, while Gursimer Badwal, who had a good 76 on first day dropped with a second round card of 82 and at 158 she was fifth. Leader on the Order of Merit, Mehar Atwal, also winner of Southern India Ladies event, was sixth at 162 with rounds of 83 and 79.

Currently Mehar leads the Order of Merit but she has Gurbani and Vani close on her heels. A win for either Vani or Gurbani could change some positions in the Merit List as the season draws towards the closing stages.

The 54-hole event concludes Thursday.