Gurugram (Haryana) [India], October 21 (ANI): Fresh from their Asian Games exploits, Shannon Tan of Singapore and India’s Pranavi Urs discover themselves going head-to-head as soon as once more on the US Dollars 500,000 Women’s Indian Open (HWIO). At Aichi-Nagoya, Japan earlier this month, it was Pranavi who claimed a historic gold for India whereas Shannon settled for the bronze medal, based on a launch.
However, Shannon is the Hero Women’s Indian Open defending champion and Pranavi could be seeking to carry the trophy again residence, one thing no Indian golfer has been capable of do since Aditi Ashok’s triumph in 2016.
The match might be held from October 22-25, 2026 and standing of their method just isn’t solely the difficult DLF Golf and Country Club, however an elite area that is among the strongest ever that has assembled on the HWIO.
The entries embrace as many as 4 previous HWIO champions with six wins between them – Shannon (2025), Liz Young (2024), Camille Chevalier (2017) and Pornanong Phatlum (2008, 2009 and 2012), who returns right here for the primary time in 14 years.
There are three previous Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit winners – Shannon (2025), Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini (2024) and Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab (2023). Also within the area are 4 present season winners – Eleanor Givens of England (VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open), Thai golfer Aunchisa Utama (Dutch Ladies Open), Germany’s Leonie Harm (Amundi German Masters) and Agathe Laisne of France (Joburg Ladies Open and Ford Women’s NSW Open).
Amidst this worldwide starcast, the Indians can even be making an attempt to make their presence felt. Led by Pranavi, the house problem consists of two-time LET winner Diksha Dagar, who was part of the ladies’s crew that clinched silver on the lately concluded Asian Games in Japan; Hitaashee Bakshi, who completed third right here final 12 months; Avani Prashanth, who was tied fifth final 12 months, aside from seasoned campaigners like Tvesa Malik, Vani Kapoor and Amandeep Drall.
Replicating success:Â Arriving in Gurugram because the 2025 LET order of advantage champion, and aiming to defend the crown she received final season, the going couldn’t have been higher for the 22-year-old from Singapore. Add to this the runner-up end in her maiden look right here in 2024, and the teenager has a heady potion at her disposal.
It is right here that Shannon’s expertise of negotiating this Gary Player design might be a significant think about serving to her to be watchful, but assured going into the 18th version of the HWIO.
Arriving on the again of one other impactful season on the LET, dotted with top-5s and top-10s, Shannon is getting higher at managing efficiency and expectations.
The phrases are measured and provides an perception into the champion mindset. “I have been looking forward to this event pretty much all year, but I will approach it as I would any other event – focus on my processes and routines, and go about things as I would on a normal day,” Shanon stated.
The HWIO is not every other match on Shannon’s rising resume; India’s nationwide open is an important cog within the popularity she has inbuilt a short while.
Nostalgia within the air:Â Homecoming is nice and when the return is as memorable as LPGA star Pornanong Phatlum’s, the air is heavy with nostalgia. Like a variety of worldwide stars, Phatlum owes her rise on the worldwide stage to India.
Over time, she bloomed into a worldwide title as HWIO charted a path for the seasoned Thai star, and will probably be a reunion of types for the three-time winner.
It was HWIO that set it up for Phatlum with the maiden win in 2008 as she certified for the LPGA quickly after for an prolonged run within the United States.
As she discovered her method on this robust platform, Phatlum by no means let herself neglect the influence of the win in India and returned the next 12 months for a profitable title defence in 2009.
Despite her busy schedule on the LPGA, Phatlum stored coming again to what appeared like an annual ‘pilgrimage’ to the land that performed a giant half in defining her as a participant of immense expertise.
It was on the again of sturdy finishes on the HWIO, and her rising stature on the LPGA that Phatlum teed off for the 2012 version and was profitable in bagging her third HWIO title.
Time has elapsed, and plenty of extra champions have joined the celebrated checklist of HWIO champions, however Phatlum’s three wins stay one of many defining statistics of the nation’s nationwide open and its storied historical past.
The eye for element, and following the ‘course of’ from tee to inexperienced as sturdy as ever, Phatlum can even want her ‘A’ recreation to counter the assessments that await this week.
Rolling again time:Â Liz Young is in India on a mission, which is to set off a turnaround in an extended profession dotted with laurels. Since her final win on the LET, the seasoned Briton has been near the highlight, however the final mile to the rostrum has eluded her.
There will be no higher setting than the DLF Golf and Country Club to quench the thirst for Win No 3 on the LET. It was per week of gruelling golf on the 2024 HWIO, and Liz stood out with a model of tenacity that noticed her prevail over Shannon Tan by the slimmest of margins within the battle between expertise and youth.
But as it’s with prime professionals, with the trophy in hand, Liz commenced the search for the following one. She has had her moments, fleeting although they had been, and this week might simply be when Liz is ready to put collectively 4 rounds of strong golf.
Armed with the recollections of 2024, Liz additionally has technique in place. “It (DLF) is one of the few courses you have to think carefully about every shot, put yourself in the right position and avoid getting too greedy.’
“I’ve nice recollections and I’ll keep on with my recreation plan. It labored two years in the past, so we are going to give it one other shot this week,” stated Liz.
Tournament highlights:
18th version of the Hero Women’s Indian OpenCourse: DLF Golf and Country ClubPrize Purse: US Dollars 500,000Field: 114 playersPast Champions: Â 4 – Shannon Tan (2025), Liz Young (2024), Camille Chevalier (2017), Pornanong Phatlum (2008, 2009 and 2012)Current LET season winners: 4 (Aunchisa Utama, Leonie Harm, Eleanor Givens, Agathe Laisne)Order of Merit winners: 3 (Shannon Tan, Chiara Tamburlini and Trichat Cheenglab)Field nationalities: 32Indian gamers: 31 (together with 4 amateurs)LET winners: 21
Groups to be careful for in Round 1 (Thursday, October 22) :
7 am: Pranavi Urs (IND), Shannon Tan (SIN), Camille Chevalier (FRA)11:10 am: Maha Haddioui (MAR), Trichat Cheenglab (THA), Sara Kouskova (CZE)11:20 am: Diksha Dagar (IND), Agathe Laisne (FRA), Anna Morgan (USA)11.40 am: Anna Zanusso (ITA), Pornanong Phatlum (THA), Liz Young (ENG)11.50 am: Eleanor Givens (ENG), Hitaashee Bakshi (IND), Leonie Harm (GER)12.00 pm: Chiara Tamburlini (SUI), Ridhima Dilawari (IND), Jess Baker (ENG). (ANI)