Mumbai, Feb 17 (IANS): After a dominating victory at the Tollygunge Club in Kolkata, Vani Kapoor will look to keep the momentum going in the fifth leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour which starts here Wednesday.

Vani currently leads the Order of Merit with total earnings of Rs.4.64 lakh in four appearances and will start as the firm favourite at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club in the Rs.6 lakh event, featuring 16 golfers, which will culminate Feb 20.

Delhi youngster Vani is expected to face tough competition from Shamila Nicollet and Kolkata's Neha Tripathi. Bengaluru’s Sharmila showed signs of her return to form with a second place finish in the last leg and is expected to press for victory this time. Neha is placed third in the Merit list with Rs.2.38 lakh and will try to close the gap at the top.

Panchkula’s Amandeep Drall, veteran Smriti Mehra and English golfer Kiran Matharu were not at their best in the last leg and would be eager to make amends.

Amandeep has been impressive in her rookie year with earnings of Rs.2.98 lakh in four appearances and is placed second in the Order of Merit. Kiran, who has already tasted victory in her maiden appearance, will be a force to reckon with. Smriti, on the other hand, hasn't been at her best in the present season and would be eyeing a turnaround.

Others to watch out for are Delhi’s Gauri Monga, Pune’s Shweta Galande and Chandigarh golfer Saaniya Sharma.

The Bombay Presidency Golf Club is one of the oldest and most renowned courses here. The picturesque par 70 course is all set to test players with its tight fairways and unpredictable sea breeze.