Kolkata, Feb 14 (IANS): Having won her first title in the first leg, local golfer Neha Tripathi will start as firm favourite in the third leg of the Hero Womens Professional Golf Tour at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) here on Wednesday.

Tripathi is currently placed second in the Hero Order of Merit with total earnings of Rs 2,10,000. 

She has one win in two appearances and a win here will help her overtake Amandeep Drall and secure her position atop the money list. 

Another strong contender for the title is Smriti Mehra. She has been close to winning in the last two events and will be keen to register her first win here. 

She is currently placed third in the Hero Order of Merit with total earnings of Rs 2,04,000.

However, Neha and Smriti will have to ward off a strong challenge from the likes of Gaurika Bishnoi and Sharmila Nicollet. 

Gurgaon's Gaurika Bishnoi is currently placed fourth in the Hero Order of Merit with total earnings of Rs 1,74,000 in two appearances. 

She has been in good form in the last two events and is expected to give the others a run for their money. 

Sharmila Nicollet, who marked her return in the last leg, did not have the best of outings and would be eager to make an impact.

Notable absentees in the Third leg are Panchkula's Amandeep Drall and Delhi's Vani Kapoor. Amandeep is currently leading the Hero Order of Merit with total earnings of Rs 2,46,000. Both Amandeep and Vani are currently busy with their overseas commitments.