Vani off to a fine start to 2018 season

She was aided by a flawless back nine after being three- over for the front stretch at the Kalhaar Blues and Greens.

Vani, who won four titles in six starts in 2017, now has five wins in seven starts. She carded an even par 72 in the final round to finish 5-over 221 and edge out Saaniya Sharma by two shots. Saaniya shot one-over 73 which included a costly double bogey on par-5 14th hole. She also had a bogey earlier on 11th hole. Gursimar Badwal finished third in a tie with Tvesa Malik as both shot 73 each and also finished on the same total of 226. Vani, who will also spend time on the Ladies European Tour later in year, started the final day one shot ahead of Neha Tripathi and opened bogey-bogey. She, however, steadied herself and dropped only one more shot on the front nine on eighth. Birdies on

12th, 14th and 18th ensured she finished strongly with a 3-under 33 on the back nine. Her aggregate of 221 gave her a two-shot win.