Shweta Galande wins a tense playoff to triumph in Jaipur

November 26, 2015: The WGAI could not have scripted it any better, if the golfing Gods had offered them a chance to do so. The 2015 Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour came to a sensational finish after Shweta Galande, Gursimar Badwal and Vani Kapoor tied on the finish line at four over 217. Shweta needed to edge out the other two in a tense playoff at the ninth hole to clinch the 18th and final leg of the season. The fact that this was the maiden WGAI title of her career, will make the off season very special for the Pune girl.

Top ranked Vani and Gursimar Badwal from Kapurthala played a solid final to catch up with overnight leader Shweta as the three women set up a thrilling finale to the ladies tour.

Vani was hoping to finish the year on a high, but a disciplined 71 in the final round wasn’t enough to nail victory in the end against a brilliant Shweta.

With both Vani and Gursimar still off the green, Shweta made a sensational long putt from over 20 feet to extinguish the hopes of her opponents and march to a second career title.

A second straight 70 helped Badwal jump into contention with birdies at the 12th and 15th holes. Meanwhile, Shweta made bogey at the final hole to slip backwards, setting up a playoff to finish the season.

Smriti Mehra shot the best round of the day, making 69 with the help of four birdies. Smriti ended the tournament in T4 with Amandeep Drall who made 73 to finish at 7-over 220.

Kiran Matharu finished a further two behind after making 73 on Friday. She was 3-over through 10 holes, before gaining one back at the 470 yard, par-5 15th hole.

Ankita Tiwana made 75 despite shooting a hat-trick of birdies from the 16th hole to finish in sixth place. Local girl Afshan Fatima made a solid finish after slipping to 5-over through the first nine holes including four straight bogeys from the second hole.

But she showed great heart to rally hard to make seven pars and two birdies to race through the last nine holes in 34 shots. It was an effort that represented that spirit with which the HWPGT has been played this season, amidst intense competition and increasing competition.

It was just very fitting too that the tour signed off with a three way playoff. January cannot come sooner for golf fans, but the players will be happy to rest and reflect on the year and come back fresh in 2016.