October 06, 2017: The crown jewel of women’s golf in India is all set for a November return. The Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI) announced the 11th edition of Hero Women’s Indian Open today. The tournament will take place from November 9 – 12 at the DLF Golf Club in Gurgaon. The pot will remain an impressive US$400,000 for a second consecutive year. Aditi Ashok, the defending champion, will be the star attraction yet again.
The last edition saw the teenage star Aditi Ashok emerge as champion, becoming India’s first golfer to ever lift the trophy. The defending champion will be back this year, seeking an encore. Vani Kapoor will also be keen to make a mark.
Several previous champions and Order of Merit winners will battle for top honors including Belen Mozo, Emily Kirsten Pederson and Beth Allen. There are in total 30 countries participating in the tournament.
Aditi sealed her rise to the top of rookie charts on the Ladies European Tour with a famous victory last year. She went on to win the Qatar Ladies Open to consolidate her position as one of the foremost young golfers on the LET.
Vani Kapoor has been toggling between the LET and the Indian tour this season. She has three victories in five appearances on the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour.
Others strong players from the Indian contingent include Gaurika Bishnoi, Amandeep Drall, and Neha Tripathi.
The flagship event, co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI) will also feature World No. 21 Carlota Ciganda from Spain, who will be the top-ranked player in the field.
“Following the tremendous success of this event in 2016 and Aditi Ashok’s historic victory, the Ladies European Tour is delighted to return to DLF Golf and Country Club to contest the Hero Women’s Indian Open for the eighth time. Our players always enjoy coming to India and the tournament has become a staple on their calendars. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with the Women’s Golf Association of India and Hero MotoCorp to bring our leading professional women golfers to Indian fans and spectators,” said LET Chairman Mark Lichtenhein.
Talking to Golfing Indian, Amandeep Drall spoke about her preparation for the big event, “My main focus would be on fitness this time because technique wise and ball striking is good. I just need to be fit and work on my mental space and be very calm and composed. I also need to work on my putting because I am not stroking the ball well currently.”
Another golfer, Gurgaon-based Gaurika Bishnoi told us that as a professional she has started working harder. “Last year Indian Open was my first big event as a pro. But now I have the required experience, I know what kind of score and competition I am expecting so really looking forward to the Indian Open,” she said.
