History of Hero Women’s Indian Open

Rajlakshmi Retesh highlights the history of the Hero Women’s Indian Open

Nov 26, 2013. Turn back time in the history of this prestigious tournament and you will find some glorious moments of golf. Not just for Indian players but how the tournament was the beginning of wins for many global names. First, Hero Indian Open was held at DLF Golf and Country Club, Gurgaon. Hence began the battle between the big guns of European and Asian women’s golf. Yani Tseng of Korea registered sensational win at the debut season of the event.

In the year 2008 Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand scored a total of 212 to take away the honours. She repeated her splendid show of talent in 2009 to emerge triumphant with a better score of eight-under- 208 to finish the game with confidence.

The next victory at the annual tournament in 2010 was dedicated to the legendary Laura Davies. She eagled the 18th hole at DLF to make a four-way play-off with South African Tandi Cuningham, Thailand’s Nontaya Srisawang and Swede Louise Friberg in 2010. She then birdied the hole to win the tournament. “I love the 18th at DLF,” she said.

Caroline Hedwall of Sweden made her focused attempt in 2011 and finished her game in style with a score of twelve-under- 204 to clinch victory.

Phatlum Pornanong, gunning for the third Indian Open, had made all her preparations in advance. In the final rounds, she made it a point to show that the Asians cannot be taken lightly. She concluded her third win with thirteen –under-203.

The Hero Women’s Indian Open moves to Delhi Golf Club, which is celebrating its 50th year of existence this year. All Eyes are on Indian hopefuls as in the past six events, none of the talented homebred golfers has been able to resist the onslaught to bring victory title home.