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A TOURNAMENT LIKE NO OTHER HERO WOMEN’S INDIAN OPEN

by Shaurya Singh

he recently concluded Hero Indian Women’s open was the biggest prize money tournament for women in India, and delivered on every aspect. The tournament saw hundred and fourteen

players competing for the prized trophy on a redesigned and toughened DLF Golf and Country Club. With the Golf course new for all players, the home advantage was greatly reduced and the playing fi eld was well and truly equalized.

A challenge like no otherThere was a lot of speculation as to how the players would handle the Gary Player Championship Course, there were predictions going either way. The answers were laid bare and the tone of the tournament was set on the fi rst day; the course taking little time to bare its fangs, and

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only three players managed to break par and there were a host of high scores, and quite a few in the nineties as well! After the completion of day one and ,the lone bright spot for the Indians was Aditi Ashok- the talented amateur shot a three over par and was comfortably placed, others unfortunately had no such luck. It was a day of struggles for the illustrious quartet of Neha,Vani,Sharmila and Vaishvi with each shooting high rounds and struggling with their games on the tough golf course.

The somber mood of the players was not going to change in a hurry, the second day provided little succor for the Indian girls with only four managing to make the cut. Aditi Ashok turned out to be the fl ag bearer for the Indian’s , placed at fi ve over after two days and with a realistic chance of winning the event.

The Final day; An absolute humdinger The fi nal day’s play made for one of the most exciting fi nishes in the history of the ladies Indian open, with as many as sixteen

players within fi ve shots of the lead. Unfortunately, the lone Indian challenger Aditi Ashok faltered early on the fi nal day and eventually fi nished thirteenth. By the time the tournament reached the business end the pretenders were separated from the contenders, and the battle for the championship became a four way tussle between Cheyenne Wooods, Emily Pederson, Malene Jorgenson and Becky Morgan. Cheyenne Woods was looking strong all throughout the back nine, but a double bogey seven on the fi nal hole dashed her chances and Emily Pederson won the championship by one shot with Cheyenne, Emily and Malene all sharing second place.

What it means for Indian golfIf success is to me measured by numbers

then it would seem like the Indian Women failed to make a mark at this event (as only four managed to make the cut) but, the experience gained by each one of the players was invaluable and would help them compete in the future. The tournament was also a success from the standpoint of viewership; be it young schoolchildren or seasoned fans everybody came out in good numbers to support the players.

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Emily Pedersen