Vani Kapoor chases back-to-back WPGT titles at Kolar's 10th leg
Synopsis
Vani Kapoor's final-round comeback last week earned her a first 2026 title — now she's back just days later chasing back-to-back WPGT wins at Kolar. Standing in her way: Ridhima Dilawari, already a three-time winner this season, and a 57-player field that includes European tour returnees and a clutch of amateurs ready to announce themselves.
Key Takeaways
Vani Kapoor won the ninth leg of the WPGT 2026 last week and now targets consecutive titles at the 10th leg in Kolar .
The event takes place at Zion Hills Golf County, Kolar, Karnataka , from 15 July 2026 .
A total of 57 players — including nine amateurs — compete, with a two-tee start in place.
Ridhima Dilawari , the season's top winner with three WPGT titles in 2026 , is the chief challenger.
Hitaashee Bakshi , a former Order of Merit winner, returns from the Ladies European Tour seeking rhythm ahead of the Women's Indian Open.
Two sibling pairs — Heena and Ceerat Kang , and Lavanya and Riya Jadon — feature in the field.
Vani Kapoor arrives at the 10th leg of the Women's Pro Golf Tour (WPGT) 2026 at Zion Hills Golf County, Kolar, Karnataka as the player to beat, having clinched the ninth leg last week with a commanding final-round comeback. The three-day event, which tees off on 15 July 2026, draws a field of 57 players — including nine amateurs — all vying for honours on one of the domestic circuit's most competitive weeks of the season.
Kapoor's Title Defence
Kapoor's ninth-leg victory was her first win of the 2026 season, and the manner of it — a back-nine surge in the final round — underlined why she remains the standard-bearer of Indian women's professional golf. She opens her campaign in a group alongside promising youngster Mannat Brar and amateur Tanishka Prithvi, teeing off from Tee 1 at 8:50 am. Consecutive titles on the WPGT are rare, making this week's challenge as much psychological as it is technical.
The Challengers: A Formidable Field
The field lining up against Kapoor is arguably the strongest the 2026 WPGT circuit has assembled. Ridhima Dilawari, the tour's most prolific winner this season with three titles already to her name, is the primary threat. Amandeep Drall, who mounted a serious title challenge in the ninth leg before falling short, will be equally determined to go one better this week.
Also in contention are Tvesa Malik, one of the circuit's most seasoned performers, and Saanvi Somu, who has been honing her game on the Ladies Access Tour in Europe and brings fresh competitive sharpness to Kolar. Former Order of Merit champion Sneha Singh is seeking to rediscover the form that once made her the tour's top-ranked player after a run of inconsistent results.
Others in the mix include Vidhatri Urs, Anvitha Narender, Seher Atwal, and veteran Neha Tripathi, all of whom are targeting a return to the winner's podium.
Hitaashee Bakshi's Comeback Bid
Former Order of Merit winner Hitaashee Bakshi is among the most compelling storylines heading into the week. After a difficult stretch on the Ladies European Tour, Bakshi returns to the domestic circuit looking to rebuild confidence and rhythm. With the Women's Indian Open — where she reportedly came agonisingly close to the title last year — on the horizon, this week carries added significance for her.
Sisters, Amateurs, and the Next Generation
The 10th leg also features two sibling pairs: Heena Kang and amateur Ceerat Kang, and Lavanya Jadon alongside Riya Jadon. Both pairs have been consistent performers on the domestic circuit and add a compelling dimension to the week's narrative.
With nine amateurs in the field, organisers have once again opted for a two-tee start to manage the expanded draw. The WPGT has increasingly served as a bridge for young talent transitioning from amateur ranks to professional golf, and this week's field is no exception.
Round 1 Tee Times
Tee 1: 7:30 am — Prarthana Khanna, Amandeep Drall, Keerthana Rajeev (A); 7:40 am — Snigdha Goswami, Khushi Khanijau, Prakruthi Sastry; 7:50 am — Ridhima Dilawari, Esther Lobo, Shreshtha Shukla; 8:00 am — Shinjini Mukherjee, Ketaki Sood, Anvvi Dahhiya; 8:15 am — Eti Chaudhary, Ravjot Dosanjh, Saanvi Somu; 8:25 am — Ananya Garg, Jasmine Shekar, Tvesa Malik; 8:35 am — Jiah Kang, Jahaanvie Walia, Ananyaa Sood (A); 8:50 am — Tanishka Prithvi (A), Mannat Brar, Vani Kapoor; 9:00 am — Smriti Bhargav, Karishma Govind, Shweta Mansingh; 9:10 am — Ananya Datar, Heena Kang, Anisha Agarwalla.
Tee 10: 7:30 am — Shagun Narain, Durga Nittur, Riya Jadon; 7:40 am — Yaalisai Verma, Priya Kumari (A), Jahnavi Prakhya; 7:50 am — Lavanya Jadon, Anuradha Chaudhuri (A), Jasmandeep Kaur; 8:05 am — Anvitha Narender, Vidhatri Urs, Anaggha Venkatesh; 8:15 am — Ayushi Dutta, Ceerat Kang (A), Neha Tripathi; 8:25 am — Oviya Reddi, Ragini Navet (A), Gourabi Bhowmick; 8:40 am — Sneha Singh, Ananthi Vivek (A), Jia Kochhar; 8:50 am — Hitaashee Bakshi, Rhea Jha, Alysha Dutt (A); 9:00 am — Seher Atwal, Kashika Misra, Rhea Purvi.
With Kapoor in form, Dilawari hunting a fourth title, and a clutch of returners hungry for results, the 10th leg at Zion Hills shapes up as the most closely contested round of the 2026 WPGT season so far.
Point of View
But the real story is the amateur pipeline: nine non-professionals in a 57-player field is a meaningful number. The tour's long-term health depends on how many of them make the leap to the paid ranks, and weeks like this are where that transition either accelerates or stalls. Bakshi's return from Europe also raises a structural question the domestic circuit rarely asks — are the conditions good enough to keep India's best from leaving, and enticing enough to bring them back?
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the WPGT 10th leg 2026 being held?
The 10th leg of the Women's Pro Golf Tour 2026 is being held at Zion Hills Golf County in Kolar, Karnataka, with play beginning on 15 July 2026. Organisers have adopted a two-tee start to accommodate the 57-player field.
Why is Vani Kapoor the favourite at the WPGT 10th leg?
Vani Kapoor won the ninth leg of the WPGT 2026 last week with a final-round comeback, making her the in-form player heading into Kolar. A back-to-back title win would be a rare feat on the domestic circuit.
Who are the main challengers to Vani Kapoor at Kolar?
Ridhima Dilawari, already a three-time winner in the 2026 WPGT season, is considered the primary threat. Amandeep Drall, Tvesa Malik, and Saanvi Somu — who has been competing on the Ladies Access Tour in Europe — are also strong contenders.
Why is Hitaashee Bakshi's return significant?
Hitaashee Bakshi is a former Order of Merit winner who has been competing on the Ladies European Tour. She returns to the domestic circuit seeking form ahead of the Women's Indian Open, where she reportedly narrowly missed the title last year.
How many amateurs are competing in the WPGT 10th leg?
Nine amateurs are part of the 57-player field at Kolar. The WPGT has historically served as a platform for amateurs to test themselves against professionals before turning pro, and this week continues that tradition.
