November 29, 2015: Shweta Galande ended the year on a high, finishing victorious in the 18th and final leg of the WGAI Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour 2015. The young golfer from Pune had to wait a long time since her maiden victory in 2013, but the wait was worth it. She claimed victory with a sensational long putt in a three way play off against Vani Kapoor and Gursimar Badwal.
Congratulations Shweta on your second career victory. Going into the final day, with the lead on your bag, how did you prepare for the final round?
It was definitely exciting to be leading after the second day. I tried to keep it simple. I didn’t want to play too aggressively, nor defensively. I just wanted to play my game and enjoy my round. I knew what worked for me for the past two days and I just wanted to keep that momentum going.
You had the tournament in the bag at the end of the 17th. And then came the bogey that pushed you three into a playoff. Can you talk about those final moments and your experience at making the long putt to win the playoff?
The putt was definitely a nail-biter. I knew how important it was for me to make that putt, and that a lot was at stake. I had approximately the same distance for my putt on the 18th, which, had I made that, would have ended the match there and then, but I left it short. So I guess going into the play off I had that putt at the back of my mind which sort of gave me a clearer picture as to what needed to be done. I was definitely excited, but I found the focus to make that putt happen. It was purely feel and commitment to the shot that got me through.
You spent a few years in the US honing your game and personality. Tell about what you learned there and how it is helping you as a golfer on the WGAI HWPGT?
Playing collegiate golf did transform me as a player. We had students from all around the globe competing week in week out, so it definitely gave me a new kind of respect for the game.
I also learned to appreciate the fact that its not only about how well you play, but how courteous you are to your fellow competitors. Collegiate golf was about sportsmanship. Winning is always great, but winning with humility and losing with grace is what collegiate golf taught me, and that is very important as a professional athlete.
Are you still based out of Pune? And who do you work with on your game, when you are not playing these tournaments?
Yes, I am based out of Pune, and I’m working with Rajiv Datar as my technical coach. Fitness and nutrition, I do it by myself (sic). Another thing I learned in college was to take care of my body first, and give it proper nutrition.
What are your interests away from the golf course?
Going out and exploring different places, trying new things, doing something new every day, is what I strive to do away from the golf course. Reading, listening to music and spending quality time with family and most importantly myself, are some of the things I like to do in my free time. I also keep myself active with sports like badminton and swimming.
It has been a long wait since your first victory in 2013. How does the Jaipur victory energise you for 2016 and what are your goals for the next year?
I had felt a victory coming for a while, but 2014 was a year of close calls. I lost twice in play offs, and I’m glad I broke that streak. The main goal of 2016 is to have a lower scoring average than I had this year, and to just keep putting myself in contention every week. I’m going to keep giving it my best and, even crack my way into the European tour, God willing.
