Pornanong Phatlum Wins Fourth Women’s Indian Open Title

Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum won the US$500,000 Hero Women’s Indian Open for a fourth time, closing with a bogey-free seven-under 65 to finish four shots clear at DLF Golf and Country Club. India’s Vani Kapoor was second after a seven-under total of 281, while Pranavi Urs and Tvesa Malik ensured three Indian players finished inside the top 10.

Phatlum completed the four-round event at 11-under 277 after rounds of 72, 71, 69 and 65. The 36-year-old’s closing round was the lowest of her week and delivered a fourth title in the event, adding to victories achieved in 2008, 2009 and 2012 on the adjoining Arnold Palmer Course. This time, she conquered the Gary Player Course to complete the sequence.

Phatlum pulls clear with bogey-free closing 65

The final day began with Pranavi Urs appearing capable of making a charge, but the contest largely became a two-player battle between Phatlum and Kapoor. Kapoor started the day with a slender one-shot lead and made a fast start, recording four birdies in her first five holes.

However, Kapoor missed a short birdie putt at the ninth, a moment that appeared to disrupt her rhythm. Phatlum, meanwhile, produced a flawless final round under pressure and separated herself from the field with seven birdies and no bogeys.

“India is like home, and I feel I can settle down here. My fourth win here is the most special as I didn’t think I was going to win again. It seems like a dream,” Phatlum said.

Her result carried added significance after a difficult recent path. Phatlum had not returned to India after 2012 because of LPGA commitments, and she had contemplated retirement at the start of the year. A run on the Epson Tour in 2024, including a victory that helped her return to the LPGA, preceded her latest success.

“I am still good to continue on Tour, and I want to win more,” Phatlum said. Sunday’s win is also set to see her compete more frequently on the Ladies European Tour in the upcoming season.

Kapoor leads strong Indian showing in top 10

Kapoor’s second-place finish was her best result on the Ladies European Tour and marked her sole runner-up finish on the circuit. She signed for rounds of 73, 69, 69 and 70 to finish at seven-under, four strokes behind Phatlum.

Despite the disappointment of missing a potential breakthrough LET victory, Kapoor took positives from a final round that featured a number of birdies under pressure. “I gave it my 100 per cent, and everything went to plan. I don’t think I could have done anything more,” she said. “I made a lot of birdies, especially considering the amount of pressure there was.”

Kapoor also pointed to the challenge of handling pressure on shots where the yardage and margin for error were not ideal. Her result puts her in line for a full LET card for the upcoming season.

Defending champion Shannon Tan finished alone in third at four-under 284 after rounds of 68, 77, 67 and 72. She played while managing a sore wrist. Czechia’s Sara Kouskova and Urs shared fourth place at three-under 285.

Urs posted rounds of 70, 70, 73 and 72. She said a stomach bug affected her during the week, while back-to-back bogeys late in her final round reflected an up-and-down Sunday. “It’s definitely not the result I wanted. I wanted to win,” Urs said, adding that she was proud of how she conducted herself through the week.

Malik completed the Indian top-10 contingent in tied seventh at one-under 287, with rounds of 71, 73, 71 and 72. The finishes by Kapoor, Urs and Malik provided a notable home challenge, even as Phatlum’s exceptional closing round settled the title decisively.