NOIDA, January 20: Vani Kapoor shot an impressive round of three-over 75 to assume the opening round lead in the 'Gold A Category' at the 10th Noida Ladies Amateur Golf Championship which commenced at the par-72 Noida Golf Course here today. The duo of Akriti Bhadauria and Meher Atwal, niece of India's PGA Tour star Arjun, were tied second one stroke behind. The event is being sponsored by Noida Authority.

In the 'Silver B Category', Tavleen Kaur Batra shot an 86 to lead the field by a stroke. MS Hwang was second at 87 while Riddhima Dilawari was third at 88.

The 'Bronze C Category' saw Nalini Sharma lead at 98 with Seher Atwal (Meher's younger sister) and YR Yang placed second two strokes behind.

Vani's round was simple enough on her outward journey with a birdie on the fourth followed by a bogey on the following hole ON the way back, she posted bogeys on the 12th, 14th and 16th.