Aline Krauter Wins Hero Women’s Indian Open title, Diksha finishes third

GURUGRAM, Oct 22: Leading by two shots going into the fourth and final round of the US$ 400,000 Hero Women’s Indian Open, overnight leader Germany’s Aline Krauter (68) overcame an early challenge from fellow rookie Sara Kjellker (71) of Sweden to win her maiden Ladies European Tour title at the DLF Golf and Country Club.

Krauter with rounds of 69-68-68-68 totalled 15-under 273 and Kjellker with 73-66-68-71 was 10-under, grabbing the second position. Krauter and Kjellker are both in their rookie year, with the champion also a rookie on the LPGA.

Krauter’s win meant the Hero Women’s Indian Open has a German winner for the second straight year as Olivia Cowan won last year. In between, another German, Marcel Siem won the men’s Hero Indian Open at the same course earlier this year.
“I knew Olivia won last year, but I was just told that Marcel Siem won the men’s event, too. So obviously India and this course works for us,” she said with a big laugh.

Diksha Dagar, who could have moved to the top of the Order of Merit with a win or solo second, gave it all with five birdies against two bogeys on the front nine, but on the back nine, the birdie putts did not fall. She had just one birdie and dropped shots on the 10th and 14th to ultimately finish with a card of 70 at 8-under 280 to finish sole third.

Diksha did move to the second place, up from her fourth place on the Race to Costa Del Sol. She is now just about 78 points behind the OOM leader, Celine Boutier of France, who did not play this week. No Indian has ever won the Order of Merit on LET and Diksha has three more events left in which to achieve the distinction.

Making it a great week for India were amateur Avani Prashanth (69) at Tied-5th with Sara Kouskova (65) of Czech Republic and Gaurika Bishnoi (71), who ended Tied-8th with Finland’s Noora Komulainen (69).

Overall, 10 Indians made the cut and all of them finished T-36 or better with three of them in the Top-10.

An ecstatic Krauter said, “I feel amazing. I think the support I've got this week from everyone, from sponsors, to fans, to little children, to other players in the field has been amazing, which makes it that much more special. And then obviously being a first time winner on the LET also obviously means the world to me. So I'm excited to tee it up on the LET next year again and hopefully come back to India as well."

"I think my mindset was great. I just started working with a mental coach this week and I think that's really shown and I feel a lot more level-headed, I think which is really important, especially around a golf course like this. So, I think that really worked well for me and then my ball striking was great, which really saved me around this golf course."

“My caddie and I we were still joking around on 18 and it just felt really natural and it does feel really natural with him in general. So, we just had a ton of fun this week. So it's really special to share that with him as well.”

Indian Diksha Dagar who finished third, said, "It was a wonderful experience. I would like to thank my Hero MotoCorp, DLF Golf and Country Club, the volunteers and the supporters. I am happy with the way I finished.

"I would like to stay in the present and I am going to continue my game and I am going to look out and work on my weaknesses. I am also looking to improve my diet and work on my skills."

Two-time national champion and Queen Sirikit Cup winner Avani Prashanth, who also won a title on the LET Access series, received the amateur winner’s salver and she was overall Tied-fifth, improving on her T-12 place in 2022. “Maybe I will get to win it when I turn pro. I plan to play the LET Q-School later this year,” said Avani. “It was great fun and I love this tournament.”

As for the other Indians, Amandeep Drall (69), who made the cut on the line finished a creditable T-16 alongside her best friend, Vani Kapoor (78) who had a totally off-day. The US-based Nishtha Madan (74) was T-20, Ridhima Dilawari (74) was T-24, Khushi Khanijau (73) was T-31, Neha Tripathi (73) was T-36 as was amateur Vidhatri Urs who played very well on first two days but ended the week with 78.

For the first six holes, Kjellker seemed hot on the heels of Krauter with just one shot separating them with 12 holes to go. Twice in the first four holes, there was a two-shot swing, once each for Krauter and Kjellker. With two pars following, the battle stayed tense with Krauter leading by just one.

Krauter saw her two-shot overnight lead cut to one by the time the duo walked off the second green. Just one shot separated them till they had finished six holes each while playing together in the final group.

Then three birdies which brought the front nine to an end sealed the deal for Krauter and Kjellker showed signs of cracking. Krauter birdied three in a row from seventh while Kjellker bogeyed seventh and ninth. Suddenly in a matter of three holes, the German had stretched her lead from one shot to six shots and it became seven with two holes to go. Kjellker birdied the 17th and Krauter bogeyed the 18th but emerged winner by five at the DLF Golf and Country Club.

Indian Cricket Great Bishan Singh Bedi Dies At 77

NEW DELHI, Oct 23: Indian cricket great Bishan Singh Bedi breathed his last at the age of 77 after a prolonged illness. Bishan Singh Bedi was a left-arm spinner who also captained the Indian team in 22 matches.

Bedi was an active cricketer from 1967 to 1979, featuring for India in 67 Tests, taking 266 wickets. He also played for India in 10 ODIs, bagging a total of 7 wickets.

Widely considered as one of the finest spinners India have had, Bedi was among the architects of India's spin bowling revolution. He, along with Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar, and S. Venkataraghavan, played an important role in India's first-ever ODI victory. Bedi's figures of 12-8-6-1 held East Africa to 120 runs in 1975 World Cup.

In domestic cricket, Bedi primarily played for the Delhi team. After retirement, he worked as a coach and mentor for several budding Indian cricketers. Away from the cricketing field, he also worked as a commentator and pundit in the Gentleman's Game.

German Aline Krauter keeps lead on Day 3 of Hero Women’s Indian Open

By Deepak Arora

GURUGRAM, Oct 21: Diksha Dagar salvaged her third round with a birdie-birdie finish as she carded 1-under 71 to keep her hopes alive of winning the US$ 400,000 Hero Women’s Indian Open at the DLF Golf and Country Club.

The 22-year-old Diksha, who called her round a roller-coaster, was lying fourth but was five shots behind Germany's Aline Krauter (68), who after a fine 3-under front nine was unable to maintain that momentum.

Aline, looking at trying to make it a back-to-back win for Germany, stretched her lead from one to two shots. While it was Vani Kapoor who was second after two rounds, occupying that position after round three is Sweden’s Sara Kjellker, who has been in fine form with five top-10 finishes in last six starts.

Sara recovered from a double bogey on the first to bring home a 4-under 68 and vaulted to the second place at 9-under.

Lying third was the first round leader and Sara’s close friend, Norway's Madelene Stavnar (69). Stavnar also started with a double while playing with Sara, but rebounded to shoot 69. She had 66-74 on the first two days.

Diksha had three birdies on the front nine and three on the back with two bogeys on the front and back halves of the course.

India’s top contender Diksha, who is currently fourth on the Race to Costa Del Sol, can get to the top of the Order of Merit with a finish in Top-2.

Feeling she can still make some ground on Sunday, she said, “It was a roller-coaster of a round. Today, I could have definitely done better. The greens were very fast today, probably two times faster than yesterday.”

She added philosophically, “I have to accept this, this is what golf is. I'm just going to enjoy myself tomorrow. Today I had lot of lip outs and I made some silly mistakes. So it was going a lot up and down in this round for me.”

Local star Vani Kapoor, despite a disappointing 74 was tied fifth with England’s Hannah Burke (72). Without being fluent, Vani seemed to be managing alright through the front nine with two birdies against a bogey. She then lapsed into a disastrous stretch with a bogey on 10th and three bogeys in a row from 13th to 15th. She did pick a birdie on 17th, but was left seven behind the leader at 4 under after the third round.

Krauter, who is looking for a maiden win on LET, said, “It’s different being at the top. I haven’t really been in this position this year at all. I think it will be a challenge tomorrow for sure. But I’m very excited for tomorrow and I’m glad I came to India! It was a lot of fun playing out there – a lot of crowds. They were all cheering for me as well which was really nice.”

She added, “I think my ball striking was good again today, the same as the last couple of days. Nothing has really changed, didn’t make that many putts, but it was still really steady which is good on this golf course. I’m really happy with my round.”

She gave her caddie a lot of credit, adding, “My caddie has been great. He’s amazing and always a good laugh. That definitely helps and he lightens the mood a lot. He gives great numbers and great clubs as well.”

Kjellker admitted, “It was an awful start. I was two over after three holes and it could have been three over after three holes. I don’t know what happened there. Maybe it was some nerves and some pressure got to me. But then I managed to calm down and had some good yardages which I took advantage of. I had lots of birdies today which was needed for sure.”

She added, “Madelene Stavnar is one of my closest friends on Tour and I feel we’re a great team out there helping each other on the golf course. She’s definitely my little comfort blanket and I love playing with her.”

Amateur Avani Prashanth ground it out for a 72 that included five birdies, including one on 18th, against three bogeys and a double bogey.

Gaurika Bishnoi also staved off what could have been a disaster as she had five birdies against five bogeys and a double for a 74 that pushed her to T-12.

Nishtha Madan, who also plays on the Epson Tour in the US shot 68, the best among Indians on the third day, and was T-19 at 1-over for 54 holes.

Aas was amateur Vidhatri Urs (73). Ridhima Dilawari (73) was 2-over for three days and T-25 and further behind were Khushi Khanijau (74) at T-34, Amandeep Drall (71) at T-37 and Neha Tripathi (75) at T-40.

Stavnar, who opened the week with a 66, said, “Me and Sara [Kjellker] were laughing. We both started with a double. It was probably the worst start you can have but then we both made a lot of birdies after that which was really nice."

She said "Sara is probably one of my best friends on Tour. We’re staying together this week as well so clearly just can’t get enough of each other! It will be fun playing together again tomorrow.”

German Aline Krauter Takes Lead At Hero Women’s Indian Open On Day 2; Vani At 2; Diksha At 3; 10 Indians Make The Cut

By Deepak Arora

GURUGRAM, Oct 20: Playing in front of her family, friends, and fans at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, Vani Kapoor grabbed the spotlight on Day 2 as she added 70 to her first round 68 to take the top spot for most part of the day.

Later in the evening, she was overtaken by rookie Aline Krauter, who is making a bid to take back the trophy to Germany for the second straight year after Olivia Cowan won last year at the DLF Golf and Country Club.

Diksha Dagar, making a bid to move to the top of the Race to Costa Del Sol standings, held on for an even par 72 with three birdies and three bogeys after a 67 on Day 1. She is 5-under and tied third with Swede Sara Kjellker (66), who had the day’s best card.

There was a lot to celebrate for local fans as another DLF golfer, Gaurika Bishnoi carded 69 to be Tied seventh with amateur Avani Prashanth (71-70) at 3-under.

Four Indians figured in the Top-7 positions of the leaderboard with six others making the cut that fell at 6-over.

Amateur Vidhatri Urs, 2-under through her first nine holes, had a bad second nine with four bogeys, three of them straight from sixth to eighth holes. She shot 74 and was even par for 36 holes and Tied 14th, a sharp drop from Tied-sixth overnight.

Ridhima Dilawari (74-71) was T-20, Khushi Khanijau (73-73) was T-29 and Neha Tripathi (75-72) was T-35.

Nishtha Madan, seven over 79 for the first day, made a great recovery to shoot 70 on the second day and ensured weekend action at T-51 at 5-over. Amandeep Drall (76-74), runner-up here last year, squeezed inside the cut line with a birdie on her final hole of the day. Her second nine was rocky with a triple on Par-4 1st (her 10th) and a double bogey on Par-4 sixth. She also had birdies on third and fourth and yet another last-gasp birdie on the ninth.

Vani, firing six birdies against four bogeys, said, “It’s so nice to play at your home course and have friends and family here as well as all the DLF members. It’s a brilliant feeling [and] really a different feeling.”

Starting two behind overnight leader Madelene Stavnar (74), Kapoor birdied the 3rd, 7th, and 9th on the front nine before giving shots back on the 4th, 8th and 10th. She made back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th before adding another on the picturesque par-3 16th to storm into the lead.

With a local crowd gathered on the 18th, Kapoor was forced to hack out from the bushes after a wayward second shot and made a bogey on the par-5 closing hole.

“It was quite an up and down round,” she said. “I would make one birdie and then drop a bogey. But I’m glad that I held on,” added Kapoor, who is making her 11th appearance at her National Open.

The leader after Round 2, Germany’s Aline Krauter said, “"My ball striking was really good today. This helps around this course. I left a lot out there around the greens, but I feel like that's every golf round.”

"I put myself in great positions and had a lot of birdie chances. I didn't convert as many as I would have liked, or could have, but it was still a great round."

Vani, 120th in the Race to Costa del Sol, needs a good finish to keep her LET card for the next season. She said, “Obviously keeping my card is important, but right now I’m not thinking about that. I feel I’ve come to terms with it, irrespective I’m still going to be playing golf and I love the sport.”

Lying tied third was the left-handed Diksha Dagar, fourth on the Race to Costa Del Sol standings. She admitted, “I didn’t start well.” Dagar dropped shots on her opening two holes.

She added, “Today my putting let me down, and the pin positions were a little bit tougher than yesterday.”

Dagar rebounded with birdies on the 8th and 11th before dropping another shot back on the narrow par-4 14th. She then birdied the par-5 18th to move to within one of Vani. Both were later overtaken by Aline Krauter.

Avani, who had a win at Queen Sirikit Cup and one on the LET Access Tour in Europe, looked confident after her 2-under 70 that had four birdies against two bogeys. She said, “I started off very well with a birdie on the first, immediately hit a bad shot on second. I told my dad on the sixth green that I'm going to birdie seven, eight, nine; exactly what I did. And then, going into the back at three under, I was very happy with how I was going.

“Somehow flew my three wood on 14 and went into the right hazard. But besides that, I think I'm pretty happy because the course was playing pretty tough today. I will take a two under, sitting four shots back with 36 holes to go is something I can definitely close out.”

She gave her caddie a lot of credit and added, “I would definitely say that my caddy helped because I was losing a bit of my mind in the first six holes but he told me that you'll figure things out at seven, eight and nine looking quite easy and I saw in the morning a lot of people had birdied those three holes.”

Gaurika, who has been playing at this course for almost 15 years, has not been able to translate her good form on the local tour to the internationals. She said, “To be honest I've had a fantastic season (at home) because I've played six events and won two and I finished runner-up in two. I haven't had the opportunity actually to play that much internationally. Also, I was struggling initially a little with my injuries. I am just finding my momentum again.”

She went on, “The Hero Women's Indian Open is the National Open and I'm just very proud to be representing my country. This is my home course so I think the odds fall in my favour. I love the course, I've grown up here. I have that sentimental attachment with the course. So the Hero Women's Indian Open is just a very special week for me.”

Norway’s Stavnar takes lead in Hero Women’s Indian Open; Diksha second, Vani third

By Deepak Arora

GURUGRAM, Oct 19: There was a strong Indian presence on top of the leaderboard as one of the pre-tournament favourites Diksha Dagar (67) and a resurgent Vani Kapoor (68), who is playing at her home course, occupied two of the top three places after the first round of the Hero Women’s Indian Open at the DLF Golf and Country Club.

Diksha overcame an early bogey to find six birdies later to be one shot behind the leader, Norwegian Madalene Stavnar (66), who is searching for her maiden win on the Ladies European Tour.

Giving the home fans a lot to cheer, local Vani Kapoor shot 4-under 68.

As Diksha and Vani moved up the leaderboard towards the end of the day, amateur Vidhatri Urs showed that Indian women could be a force to reckon with as she shot 2-under 70 to be T-6 while another amateur Avani Prashanth, who finished as the best amateur last year, was T-10 with 1-under 71 despite three bogeys in last eight holes. Avani is the winner of the prestigious Queen Sirikit Cup for amateurs and the Ahlsell Final in Sweden on the LET Access Tour for professionals in August.

Another Indian Gaurika Bishnoi (72) was T-17 after a round that had three birdies against a bogey and a double bogey.

Diksha, who can go to the top of the Race to Costa Del Sol standings with a win this week, said, “It was a slow start (from the tenth tee) for me today because on 11th hole, I was confused with the club selection. So I wasn't confident about the tee shot. Never mind, I could have made an up and down. But it was alright, afterwards I hit six birdies and I had a solid round."

“On the 10th hole (the first of the course), I made a very long birdie putt which was uphill and down in slope. It was a 35 footer.

She added, “About my game, all aspects are fairly good and most importantly, putting was the main thing and I putted well today.”

On her expectations for the second round, she said, “For the round tomorrow, I love morning rounds. I prefer to play in the morning because I feel nice. Also, you don't have to play under the sun because in the afternoon it can get hot.”

The leader Stavnar, who along with Sara Kjellker (73) accompanied Vani and Amandeep Drall for a taste of Indian street food two days ago, had a clean card with six birdies and no bogeys. Stavnar opened with three pars and then had four birdies on fourth, sixth, seventh and ninth to turn in 4-under. She added gains on 13th and 15th and kept bogeys off her card.

Smiling all the way, Stavnar said, “I’m very happy. It’s one of those days where golf feels a little bit easier than others. This course is not easy so a 66 will do very nicely to begin with.”

“I played really steady and think I hit 17 greens today which obviously makes things a little easier. But still, the greens are not too easy. I just felt I did a really good job both mentally and technically.”

Vani Kapoor, who needs a good finish this week to get into Top-60 for the next LET event in Spain, started on the tenth with three pars and then had four birdies in a row.

She said, “I had a good stretch of birdies. I had four of them back to back from the 13th to 16th. I just kept riding on them and then I had a little bad patch going down. I three putted the 18th and missed a chip out on the second which was a little annoying but again those were just lip outs.” She picked birdies on fifth and eighth.

She added, “I gave myself a lot of chances, stayed patient throughout, and I think that's something that worked.”

On the season itself, she said, “I think my game has been good throughout the year, but unfortunately all the scores haven't been coming together. It just comes in patches. So, I've just been making cuts, but I haven't had any good finishes.”

Amateurs Vidhatri and Avani had under-par rounds in the morning wave. Vidhatri, who had five birdies against three bogeys, said, “I knew the course was going to be a little tight today and in the front nine the pin positions were a bit tight. So I just wanted to finish it in pars. And then in the back nine a few holes were pretty easy. So I just went for it.

Avani started strongly with four birdies in first 10 holes and then putter went cold. She smiled and said, “It took a bit of time for me to get used to the greens because they were playing pretty slow in the morning. But otherwise, pin positions were pretty good in the back nine and then I executed the plan perfectly and once I got used to the greens, putts really started dropping. And then it got cold in the back nine.”

Diksha leads strong Indian challenge as Gustavsson and Cheenglab look to spoil the party at Hero Women’s Indian Open

By Deepak Arora

GURUGRAM, Oct 18: Diksha Dagar, Tvesa Malik and Amandeep Drall lead a strong Indian challenge as Johanna Gustavsson of Sweden, Thai Trichat Cheenglab and Austria's Christine Wolf look at spoiling the home party at the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2023, which gets underway at the DLF Golf and Country Club Thursday.

Diksha is well placed to make her way into the history books as she gets ready to tee up at the US$ 400,000 event. Diksha, who turns 23 in less than two months, has already won this season and lies fourth on the Race to Costa Del Sol, the Order of Merit for the Ladies European Tour.

A win this week will carry her right to the top and put her in a position to become the first Indian to win the Order of Merit.

Alongside Diksha, two other strong contenders could be Tvesa Malik, who is slowly but surely regaining her form, and Amandeep Drall, who was runner-up last year. A total of 32 Indians feature in the event which is in its 15th staging and has become a much-loved event on the Tour.

The left-handed Diksha is in the midst of her best season on the LET with six top-10 finishes and a win at the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open earlier this year. It was her second win on the Tour after her success in 2019 at the Investec South African Women's Open.

Showing the confidence levels that seem to be rising with each week, she said, “It would be a very proud moment to win the Hero Women’s Indian Open. I’m feeling good, this season has been great so far and clearly my best in five years playing on the LET. This year has pushed my confidence and I’m feeling confident that I will do well. I will do my best!”

“DLF (golf course) is like my second home golf course,” she said. Dagar lives just 30 minutes from the golf course. “The greens and the facilities are very good. It is a very tough golf course but it gives you very good preparation for the international events.

“It’s been very nice to be home after playing a lot of golf internationally. Being here at home is a lot different, it’s a bit easier and you have more crowds supporting you. It feels really good. My family will be here. I’ll be honest, golf is growing a lot more in India so a lot of them will be coming to watch.

“It was a good thing,” Dagar remembers. “At that time I used to think it was a very big event and I knew it was a very big opportunity. I am grateful to my family and the people who have supported me through the journey. Now when I play here on the Ladies European Tour in India, I get flashbacks and very good feelings.”

Diksha made her debut at the Hero Women’s Indian Open in 2016 when she was still an amateur and that year she was the best amateur as well. Diksha also finished T21 at this year’s AIG Women’s Open and she hopes this week she can become India’s second winner of the Hero Women’s Indian Open.

Tvesa said, “My game is getting better. It has been nice getting back into contention and it is nice to come back here on a familiar golf course. This is my home course and I have been playing here all the time.

While the Indian brigade makes a bid to keep the trophy at home, Johanna Gustavsson is looking to grab a second title this season. She is second on the Order of Merit and a win could even seal the Order of Merit for her with only three events left in the season.

Gustavsson said, “It is great to be back here. I have been here quite a few times. The course is in great condition as always and it is such a good test. I have been playing well and won a few weeks back and I am excited to be back.”

Thai star Trichat Cheenglab, who is in her rookie year, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Pornanong Phatlum (3-time winner) and Thidappa Suwannapurra who have won the Hero Women’s Indian Open in the past.

Trichat added, “This is my first year on the LET and I have enjoyed it a lot. It is almost my second home and I have made a lot of friends. This is a challenging course. This is my second time here as I had first played Hero Women's Indian Open in 2019 on an invitation spot.

“I know we have had Thai winners here and I hope to join them this week.”

Christine Wolf, who won the title in 2019 is relishing the feeling of coming back to DLF Golf & Country Club. In 2019 Wolf fired a final round 69 (-3) to win by three shots for her first win.

“It’s so nice being back here,” the 34-year-old said. “It almost feels like coming home. I feel really comfortable here and I had a really warm welcome when I arrived. It’s just so nice being back.

“I love the food here and the people. They’re so happy and welcoming. It always feels like they really enjoy having us back here. And of course the food is amazing.

Tvesa Malik will go out early at 7.10 am alongside Florentyna Parker and Lauren Holmey, while Diksha Dagar will play in the afternoon from the 10th tee alongside Nuria Iturrioz of Spain and Manon De Roey.

Gustavsson tees off from the 10th with former champion Becky Morgan and Seher Atwal at 11.35 am and Trichat Cheenglab plays with Elin Arvidsson and Vanessa Knecht from the 10th tee at 11.55 am.

As a curtain raiser to the event, the morning Hero Pro-Am saw India's Gaurika Bishnoi along with her team comprising of Ravinesh Kumar, Mahaveer Singhvi, Kundan Kumar, take the top spot at a score of 39 Under Par.

Christine, Nuria, Diksha, Trichat, Tvesa Win Skills Challenge At Hero Women’s Indian Open

By Deepak Arora

GURUGRAM, Oct 17: Led by Diksha Dagar and Johanna Gustavsson, two of the leading contenders this week for the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2023, the star players got off to a fine start for the $ 400,000 event.

Competing in the Hero Skills Challenge, two teams – Europe and Rest of the World – comprising four players each, got a ‘competitive’ taste of things to come at the DLF Golf and Country Club today.

Europe and the Rest of the World shared the honours for the second straight year, winning two Skills each.

The European foursome comprised Christine Wolf (the HWIO 2019 winner), Johanna Gustavsson (winner of Open de France), Nuria Iturrioz (winner of La Sella Open); and Meghan MacLaren (winner of Australian Women’s 2022), while the Rest of the World had Tvesa Malik (WGAI OOM winner 2019), Diksha Dagar (Winner Czech Ladies Open and Olympian), Trichat Cheenglab (Winner Big Green Egg Open) and Magdalena Simmermacher (Olympian).

Europe, through Christine Wolf and Nuria Iturrioz, won the 120-yard pitch and ‘Hit the Hero Bike’ respectively. Christine, the 2019 winner of this tournament, hit her pitch shot to five feet one inch and then Nuria twice hit the ‘Hero Bike’ placed on a platform in the middle of the Lake adjoining the 18th Green to put Team Europe 2-0 up.

The Rest of the World hit back quickly as Diksha Dagar and Trichat Cheenglab both hit their bunker shots to five feet of the flag.

Then in the final Skill, which was the “Long Putt”, Tvesa Malik found her way to within seven inches from 40 feet on the contoured 18th Green to force a 2-2 tie. Both teams received Rs. 1,68,000 each for winning two Skills each as Ram Kuppuswamy, Chief Procurement Officer, Hero MotoCorp, gave away the prizes to the teams.

Interestingly, Christine Wolf and Meghan MacLaren were in the European side a year ago, as were Diksha and Tvesa on the Rest of the World team.

On Wednesday, the Hero Women’s Indian Open will have its customary Pro-Am with some celebrities playing alongside the top professionals and a day later on October 19, the first round of the $ 400,000 event will get underway with the champion being crowned on Sunday.

A total of 120 professionals will tee off on Thursday with the 36-hole cut coming in after two rounds and the final round will be played on Sunday.

15th Hero Women’s Indian Open Tees Off On October 19 At DLF Golf Course

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Oct 13: World’s Top lady golfers, including of 120 from 25 nations, would be seen in action at the 15th Hero Women’s Indian Open, the flagship Ladies European Tour (LET) event in Asia, at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon from October 19.

Four of the top five on the Ladies European Tour’s Order of Merit would be participating in the four-day $400,000 Hero Women’s Indian Open. The highest-ranked Indian in LET Diksha Dagar would be seen teeing off with the star studded line-up for the 2023 challenge.

The Hero Women’s Indian Open 2023 is attracting considerable interest from players who will jostle for the top spots on the Race to Costa Del Sol (the Order of Merit for LET), while many others including some Indian names will be hoping to do well to get their full playing rights for 2024.

The field for this year’s edition is already appearing impressive with three of the top four players in the LET Order of Merit entering the event - No. 2 Ana Pelaez Trivino of Spain, No. 3 Diksha Dagar of India and No. 4 Trichat Cheenglab of Thailand. Former champions in the field will include Christine Wolf (2019), Becky Morgan (2018) and Camille Chevalier (2017).

Briefing newsmen, Bharatendu Kabi, Head - Corporate Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Hero MotoCorp, said, “Having steadily grown in stature over the years, the Hero Women’s Indian Open has played a significant role in promoting women’s golf in India by providing a global platform to the budding players to showcase their talent. It is indeed a delight to see several top players from around the world and a strong Indian contingent competing for the coveted trophy and the Order of Merit for LET at the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2023."

She said "We cherish our association with WGAI and appreciate their efforts towards successfully hosting India’s National Open. We wish the players the very best.”

Mrs Kavita Singh, President, Women’s Golf Association of India, said, “The last year has been an incredible run for Indian women’s golf, with our girls excelling on the international stage. It has also been a great year for our Tour in India, the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour. The level of golf on display has improved tremendously. It is not long before we see many more of our players on the international Tours.”

Mrs Kavita Singh said “It has not been easy, especially the last few years, and none of this would have been possible without the support of Hero MotoCorp Ltd. and Dr Pawan Munjal, who have stood by the WGAI and the players through all the uncertain times. The WGAI would like to thank Hero MotoCorp, DLF Ltd and the many other sponsors who have believed in us and supported us through the years. We would also like to thank the Ladies European Tour for their partnership.”

Alexandra Armas, CEO, Ladies European Tour said, “The Hero Women’s Indian Open has become one of the main highlights of the LET calendar, coming at an important time in the season as the players look to consolidate and improve their positions in the final stages of the Race to Costa del Sol. The players can’t wait to return to DLF G&CC, a top quality golf course which is challenging and rewarding in equal measure. We look forward to working with our long term partners to ensure another hugely successful event for all involved.”

The LET will have two more events scheduled after the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2023 and they will be the Aramco Team Series in Riyadh and the Tour Championships, the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana.

The DLF Golf and Country Club is hosting the event for the 13th time since the event was introduced in 2007. The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19.

Apart from India’s Diksha Dagar, there are six other winners from the current season in the field, including Thai Trichat Cheenglab (Big Green Egg Open in Netherlands), Denmark’s Smilia Tarning Soenderby (KPMG Women’s Irish Open), Spaniard Nuria Iturrioz (La Sella Open in Spain), Spaniard Carmen Alonso (Ladies Open by Pickala Rock Resort in Finland), Lisa Pettersson (Helsingborg Open in Sweden) and German Patricia Isabel Schmidt (Belgian Ladies Open).

The field is further strengthened by the entries of at least eight other winners from the 2022 schedule. They include Lee Ann Pace of South Africa, Meghan MacLaren of England, Ana Pelaez Trivino, Manon de Roey of Belgium, Jana Melikova of Czech Republic, Anne Charlotte Mora of France, Liz Young of England, and Johanna Gustavsson of Sweden.

Other strong names include Magdalena Simmermacher of Argentina, Gabriela Cowley, Felicity Johnson, Rosie Davis and Hannah Burke of England, Pia Babnik of Slovenia, Becky Brewerton of Wales, Scottish golfers Michelle Thompson, Kelsey Macdonald and Laura Beveridge and Leonie Harm of Germany.

Twenty-two-year-old Diksha, a Hero MotoCorp Brand Ambassador, is the gold medalist from the Deaflympics and played at the Tokyo Olympics. She is already among the front runners in the race to secure her place for the 2024 Olympic Games in Pairs.

A two-time winner on the LET, Diksha has racked up a win at the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open and six other Top-10 finishes in what has been the most successful year of the talented left-handed golfer. Diksha is well placed to make a bid for the top honours on the LET’s Order of Merit, a feat not achieved by any other Indian woman golfer.

The Hero Women’s Indian Open has also meant greater opportunities for Indian women golfers like Amandeep Drall, who was runner-up in 2022 and Vani Kapoor, who has notched up Top-10 finishes in the event. The duo is now regular on the LET and will be hoping for good results at home to wrap up their playing rights for 2024.

Similarly, another Hero Brand Ambassador, Tvesa Malik, who has recently grabbed two wins on the domestic Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour, and other winners like Neha Tripathi, Sneha Singh and Gaurika Bishnoi, too, will look forward to the event giving them the right boost towards the latter stages of the season.

Hero MotoCorp, which sponsors both the men’s and women’s National Open, has been associated with the tournament since inception and became the title sponsors in 2010, the year the event joined the elite Ladies European Tour.

Hero MotoCorp also sponsors the entire domestic schedule with around 15 events each at premier golf courses across the country and its sustained support has led to as many as half a dozen Indian golfers now playing on the Ladies European Tour and some in the United States.

Team Bajaj Foundation Among 22 Teams Playing At Delhi Golf Club League 2023

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Oct 12: The Bajaj Foundation, a renowned non-governmental organization committed to making a positive societal impact, is participating in the highly anticipated Delhi Golf Club League 2023.

As many as 22 teams, comprising 21 players and with the total field totaling 462 players will be seen in action in the 3rd Edition of the LLOYD Delhi Golf Club League to be played here from 12th October to 4th November. The tournament will be played on a four-ball better ball Matchplay Format. The inaugural season in 2021 witnessed 18 teams compete while 20 teams competed in the 2022 edition of the League.

The Bajaj Foundation is distinguished for its philanthropic initiatives that transcend conventional charity work. Notably, the foundation's unique focus on promoting sports, with a particular emphasis on golf, stands out. This collaboration underscores the shared values of both organizations, including nurturing talent, promoting healthy lifestyles, and creating a positive influence on the community.

The 22 teams competing in the League are: The A-Team, Sterling Swingers, Baale Golf, Eagles & Birdies, Christie’s Golf, SwingKKings, Shiva, Bajaj Foundation, Tee Birds, The Pioneers, MMG Coca-Cola, 24 Secure Lions, TEEm EDC, Royal Ranthambore Athletic Drive, Deutsche Motoren, Birdie Machine, Ardee Masters, Bliss Golfers, B i Luxury, Bharat Strikers, Golf Code, and Dayal Opticals, with the last three names coming on this year.

The League will be played in two stages – a Round Robin stage followed by a Knock-out stage. During each playoff match between two teams, each team will field 7 pairs (14 players). One pair from each team will play against a pair from the other team in a four ball better ball Matchplay format with all the players playing off 75% of their original handicaps. The teams will get points for their wins.

The 22 teams have been divided into 4 groups. After the Round Robin stage, top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the Knock-out stage starting with the Quarter-finals. The Finals will be played on November 4, 2023.

India Finish With Historic 107 Medals In Asian Games

HANGZHOU, Oct 7: The Indian contingent impressed everyone with their brilliant performances at Asian Games 2023 and finished with a historic haul of 107 medals. It included 28 gold medals - a record for India in the history of the competition - as well as 38 silver medals and 41 bronze medals.

India were on the verge of reaching the 100-medal mark at the start of Saturday's order of play and with gold medals in men's and women's kabaddi, men's cricket and men's doubles badminton, they were able to finish the Asiad on a high.

The Indian men's kabaddi team emerged victorious after an hour of arguments to reclaim its Asian Games title, beating defending champions Iran 33-29 in a controversial final, which was temporarily suspended, on Saturday.

The women's team survived by the skin of its teeth as it beat Chinese Taipei 26-25 in a dramatic final for the country's 100th medal.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty earned India's first-ever badminton gold medal at the Asian Games with a straight-game win over South Korea's Choi Solgyu and Kim Wonho in Hangzhou on Sunday.

World number 3 Satwik and Chirag, who had become the first Indians to win the Asian championships in 58 years in March this year, extended their sensational run with a 21-18 21-16 win over Choi and Kim, ranked 15th, to achieve their crowing glory.

It was also India's first medal in men's doubles in 41 years since Leroy D'sa and Pradeep Gandhe won a bronze in 1982 edition.

The Indian men's cricket team clinched the gold medal on its Asian Games debut after their final against Afghanistan was called off due to rain, and the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side was adjudged winners by virtue of being seeded higher in the continental showpiece on Saturday.

Put in to bat, Afghanistan were 112 for 5 in 18.2 overs when persistent rain halted the proceedings at the Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket Field, and the match never restarted from that point.

Om Prakash Chouhan’s rock-solid final day earns him the title at J&K Open

By Deepak Arora

JAMMU, Oct 7: Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, produced a rock-solid final round performance of three-under 69 to come home the victor by three shots at a total of 11-under 277 at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course.

Chouhan (71-70-67-69), who picked up his second title of the season and a prize money cheque worth Rs. 7,50,000, further extended his lead in the TATA Steel PGTI Ranking as his season’s earnings moved to Rs. 79,03,009. Om Prakash now enjoys a lead of more than Rs. 23 lakh over his nearest rival Aman Raj in the PGTI’s money list.

Chandigarh’s Akshay Sharma (68-71-72-69) also posted a 69 on day four to finish runner-up at eight-under 280. Akshay has now registered three consecutive top-3 finishes. He thus climbed one spot to eighth position in the PGTI’s merit list.

Om Prakash Chouhan, the overnight leader by one shot, maintained his grip on the proceedings for the first half of the day having recorded three birdies till the 10th hole as he sank eight to 10 footers with relative ease.

The 33-year-old Om Prakash, who has been based in Ahmedabad for the last couple of years, was in a spot of bother when he dropped a double-bogey after a three-putt on the 11th but he immediately got back in control with another 10-feet birdie conversion on the 12th. The bogey on the 16th also didn’t affect Chouhan’s round as he once again came roaring back with birdies on the last two holes including a 20-feet conversion on the 17th.

Chouhan said, “Today I didn’t try anything fancy and just focused on playing regulation golf. I thought, let the others try to catch up with me. Importantly, I didn’t have any anxious moments because I made good comebacks every time I dropped shots. That helped me play with a relaxed mind.

“It was a delight to play at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course and I look forward to coming back here next year. Since moving to Kalhaar Blues & Greens in Ahmedabad, my game has improved a lot. I would like to thank Badresh, Devang Shah and Ragesh Vasa for all their support.”

Runner-up Akshay Sharma’s last round featured five birdies and two bogeys.

The Delhi-based duo of Kapil Kumar (seven-under 281) and Harshjeet Singh Sethie (five-under 283) finished third and fourth respectively.

Advisor To LG Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar Inaugurates J&K Open Golf Tournament

By Deepak Arora

JAMMU, Oct 4: Advisor to Lt. Governor Jammu & Kashmir Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar inaugurated the J&K Open 2023 Golf Tournament here on Wednesday. The Chief Guest Bhatnagar inagurated the third edition of the tournament amidst much fanfare at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course.

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India, is holding the tournament along with J&K Tourism and Jammu Tawi Golf Course as partners.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah, Secretary, Tourism, J&K; Amarjeet Singh, Special Secretary to Government, J&K Tourism Department; Ms. Sunaina Sharma Mehta, Joint Director, Tourism, Jammu; and Manav Gupta, Secretary, Jammu Tawi Golf Course, were present at the inaguration ceremony.

The inauguration ceremony featured a ceremonial tee off and cake-cutting by the Chief Guest Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar as well as release of balloons.

As many as 114 players including 109 professionals and five amateurs are participating in the tournament. Some top Indian professionals including Om Prakash Chouhan, Aman Raj, Akshay Sharma, Sachin Baisoya, Harshjeet Singh Sethie, Gaurav Pratap Singh, Karan Pratap Singh and Kshitij Naveed Kaul would also be seen in action.

The foreign challenge is led by Bangladesh’s Badal Hossain, Nepal’s Sukra Bahadur Rai and Canada’s Sukhraj Singh Gill, to name a few.

The local challenge is led by J&K-based players including professionals Bhawani Singh Parmar, Pawan Parihar, Fayaz Ahmed Langoo, Raghav Wahi and Mir Ahmad as well as amateurs Prabhnoor Singh, Umar Yaqoob Mir, Vedant Handa, Arindam Sudan and Zorawar Singh.

The total prize purse for the event has been enhanced to Rs. 50 lakh this year. The Pro-Am event will be held on October 8.

The tournament is part of J&K Tourism’s great initiative of promoting golf tourism in the region. J&K is blessed with some spectacular golf courses such as Jammu Tawi Golf Course, Royal Springs Golf Course (Srinagar), Pahalgam Golf Course (Lidder Valley) and Gulmarg Golf Club. These courses provide a heavenly experience to golfers.

Jammu Tawi Golf Course, is an 18-hole course, designed by internationally renowned designer Col. K.D Bagga. The course was commissioned on April 24, 2011. This picturesque Golf Course is located along the National Highway 1A connecting Jammu to Srinagar, in a valley along the river Tawi. The course has fairways approximately 6600 meters in length, it has two big and three small water bodies and a water channel about 3200 meters long.

GIA Golf and Turf Summit Opens on Oct 5

By Deepak Arora

GURGAON, Oct 4: The Golf Industry Association (GIA) today announced the staging of its Annual GIA Golf and Turf Summit 2023. The Summit will be held at the prestigious DLF Golf and Country Club, on 5th-6th October.

GIA is a not-for-profit organization to promote the Game & Industry of Golf and its associated business. Establishment of Golf Courses, enabling liaison with Government for import concessions and facilitations, inviting investors to the development of new golf courses and clubs, connecting and growing golf tourism in India are the main goals to pursue . GIA has also been involved in conducting research documents to study the Golf Economy and its growth in India.

The GIA was formed in the year 2011. It was founded by Anirudha (Anil) Seolekar of Oxford Golf Resort who was the association’s Founder President along with Mr Philip Ryan of PCD Golf Design, Australia. The purpose of creating the GIA was to provide a platform for golf courses and business vendors in the industry, who in turn would help to grow the game of golf in the country.

The GIA Golf and Turf Summit 2023 is a gathering of Golf industry professionals, industry leaders, and enthusiasts from the golfing world. It is for sharing insights, networking, discussing key challenges and opportunities, and inspiring innovation and growth in the golf industry. Present at the Summit will be prominent bureaucrats from various concerned ministries, golf course owners, office bearers, traders and manufacturers of turf care equipment, golf carts, irrigation, golf playing equipment, and accessories and other allied items. The Summit is also a time for companies to exhibit and showcase their latest offerings. Eminent global brands have confirmed their participation at the Summit.

Notable speakers of international repute from the World Golf Industry have confirmed their participation and will speak on various topics related to the business of golf and the golf industry. Their expertise and experience will enhance the participant’s ability to understand the business better. Many of the exhibitors will be showcasing their efforts towards ‘Make in India’ initiative on par with world’s leading international brands.

International keynote speakers include the following: Mike Sebastian, CEO, Asian Golf, Singapore; Gregg Patterson, Founder, Tribal Magic; Chris Gray, Head – Sustainable Golf & Agronomy, Asia Pacific, R&A; and Bruce MacPhee, Senior Agronomist, ASTMA.

The Summit will be inaugurated by Mrs Kavita Singh, President, Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI). Other key speakers include Brijinder Singh, President, Indian Golf Union and Aakash Ohri, Jt Managing Director, DLF Home Developers Ltd. Speakers from world leading companies like Toro, Rainbird, Jacobsen, EZGO, Wiedenmann, and Fertilizer companies will be there to share their valuable knowledge in Turf Maintenance.

For the first time, a GIA Greens Section has been formed and an education conference for greenskeepers will be held alongside the main conference. More than 50 greenskeepers will attend the workshop conducted by Australian Agronomist Bruce MacPhee, and the conference to enhance their knowledge on various aspects of maintaining a golf course.

Anil Seolekar, President, GIA, said, “it is a great privilege for the GIA to be hosting the annual Golf & Turf Summit at the prestigious DLF Golf and Country Club this year. The Summit has grown year on year, as is evident from the list of confirmed speakers and global companies who have made this their annual stop in India.

The two-day Summit promises to be a great platform for exchange of ideas, networking, discussions and showcasing of the latest technology by various companies. The GIA continues to be the catalyst for growth of golf and the business of golf in India.”

GIA also takes along with them the other golfing associations namely PGTI, WGAI and IGU as support for the Summit, as all have the definite purpose to grow the game.

During the GIA Golf & Turf Summit, there would be a Business Summit; Separate Greenskeepers Conference (Technical); Golf Exhibition by various companies related to the golf industry; Driving Range Demo Day & Equipment display and Sale and GIA Awards, best in various categories

The GIA Awards celebrate excellence in the field of golf in India, recognizing the best golf courses based on design, maintenance, and overall experience. Additionally, the Awards also acknowledge outstanding contributions from industry professionals and service providers.

These prestigious Awards have been an annual tradition for several years, highlighting GIA’s commitment to promoting and rewarding excellence within the Indian golfing fraternity. The Awards are divided into two categories – Voting Category and Jury Awards. Voting opened on September 1, and the Awards will be declared at a glittering ceremony on October 6.

GIA Board 2023 includes Anil Seolekar (President); Anit Mehrotra (Vice President); Ateet Gaur (Secretary General); Phil Ryan (Director); Hari Natrajan (Director) and Sandeep Treha (Director).

India smash their highest-ever medal tally at Asian Games

HANGZHOU, Oct 3: India's rise in the global sports arena got a fresh stamp of approval at the Asian Games 2023. The Indian contingent achieved its highest-ever medal tally at the Games with four and a half days of action still to go at the 19th edition in Hangzhou. Their previous best was 70 medals in the last edition of the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2018. They took their overall medal tally to 71 on Wednesday in the current edition by adding two more medals in the first half of the day.

India ended Day 10 with 69 medals, holding on to the fourth spot comfortably and it did not take long for them to match their Jakarta tally on Day 11. Ram Baboo and Manju Rani won bronze in the first event of the day - the 35km race walk mixed team. They finished with a timing of 5:51:14. China took the gold medal (5:16:41) while Japan got silver (5:22:11) with a second finish. This historic bronze medal in race walk meant India equalled their best-ever performance at the Asian Games.

About an hour later, it was the golden effort from the archers that made the ongoing Hangzhou Games India's best ever. Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Pravin Ojas Deotale won gold in the compound archery mixed team event after beating Chaewon So and Jaehoon Joo of South Korea 159-158. This was India's first gold in archery in this edition of the Games and it was a special one in more ways than one. It took India's overall medal tally to 71 - their best ever and it also matched their best-ever gold medal count at the Games. India have already got 16 gold medals, equalling their effort in Jakarta five years ago.

India have so far won 16 gold medals, 26 silver medals and 29 bronze medals in this Asian Games.

Jyothi and Deotal's gold also made this the best-ever campaign at the Games by the Indian archers. Their best-ever effort in archery was three medals in 2014 in Incheon. In the 19th Games, India have already ensured four medals. They have three more medals confirmed in the individual events of archery, two of which can be gold. The finals of these two events will take place later.

India have two assured medals in the squash doubles event and two more from boxing which means their medal count is certain to be 78 even if they don't manage to get any other podium finish.

The shooting and athletics contingents have been the biggest contributors to India's best-ever Asian Games campaign. India have got 22 medals in shooting and 23 so far in athletics, with a few more events including Neeraj Chopra's javelin throw final still to go in the track and field.

India are currently fourth in medal tally behind China, Japan, and South Korea who all have won more than 100 medals. China, in fact, are nearing 300.

Notably, India's highest-ever ranking in the Asian Games was in the inaugural edition when they finished No.2 in the standings at New Delhi with 15 gold, 16 silver and 20 bronze.

With wrestling, hockey (men and women), men's cricket, badminton(singles and doubles), archery (recurve team and individual) squash (doubles), boxing, kabaddi (men and women), and athletics still to go, India could well dream of getting more than 90 medals at the Hangzhou Games.

Top golf professionals participating in J&K Open

By Deepak Arora

JAMMU, Oct 3: The third edition of the J&K Open kickstarts from Wednesday at the pristine Jammu Tawi Golf Course, according to Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI; Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, Secretary, Tourism, J&K, Amarjeet Singh, Special Secretary to Government, and Manav Gupta, Secretary, Jammu Tawi Golf Course.

The field of 114 players including 109 professionals and five amateurs will witness participation by top Indian professionals including Om Prakash Chouhan, Aman Raj, Akshay Sharma, Sachin Baisoya, Harshjeet Singh Sethie, Gaurav Pratap Singh, Karan Pratap Singh and Kshitij Naveed Kaul.

The foreign challenge will be led by Bangladesh’s Badal Hossain, Nepal’s Sukra Bahadur Rai and Canada’s Sukhraj Singh Gill, to name a few.

The local challenge will be led by J&K-based players including professionals Bhawani Singh Parmar, Pawan Parihar, Fayaz Ahmed Langoo, Raghav Wahi and Mir Ahmad as well as amateurs Prabhnoor Singh, Umar Yaqoob Mir, Vedant Handa, Arindam Sudan and Zorawar Singh.

The total prize purse for the event has been enhanced to Rs. 50 lakh this year. The Pro-Am event will be held on October 8.

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India, is holding the tournament along with J&K Tourism and Jammu Tawi Golf Course as partners.

Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary, Tourism said, “Any place that is famous around the world definitely has a facet of golf tourism in its realm. In today’s date, golf tourism has made India a focus destination with world class facilities and Jammu and Kashmir is a very big contributing factor in this."

Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah said "the J&K open is a defining tournament to enhance and promote golf tourism. There are world class players that participate at this event and each and every player will get an opportunity to experience the Dogri culture including its art and cuisine.”

Amarjeet Singh, Special Secretary to Government, J&K Tourism Department, said, “We look forward to our continued association with the J&K Open golf tournament and the PGTI. This tournament gives us a great platform to project the UT of Jammu & Kashmir as a favourable destination for Golf Tourism for business and leisure travellers from all across the world. Our partnership with PGTI and the staging of the J&K Open also provides us the opportunity to showcase the outstanding golfing venues in J&K to a wider audience.”

Manav Gupta, Secretary, Jammu Tawi Golf Course, said, “We are proud to host the leading Indian professional golfers at Jammu Tawi Golf Course for the second year in succession. We have worked towards providing the best possible playing conditions at JTGC and are confident that the players will enjoy their experience of playing here. The J&K Open also provides immense exposure for our local golfing talent who get to rub shoulders with the best professionals in the country. This exposure will go a long way in helping J&K produce champion golfers in the future.”

Ms. Sunaina Sharma Mehta, Joint Director, Tourism, said, “The J&K Open 2023 adds another dimension to the facets of tourism to our beautiful place. I would like everyone to come witness everything that the culture has to offer and I am that sure it would be unforgettable experience. We are excited to host all national and international golfers and are looking forward to showcase our rich art and craft and cultural heritage of the Jammu region.”

Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO, PGTI, said, "The third edition of the J&K Open presented by J&K Tourism is one of the most-awaited tournaments of the 2023 PGTI season with the professionals having fond memories of playing at the magnificent Jammu Tawi Golf Course for the first time last year."

He said "Tournaments such as these will go a long way in providing a boost to Golf Tourism in J&K. We thank J&K Tourism and the Jammu Tawi Golf Course for reiterating their support to PGTI with the enhanced prize purse this year. We’re excited about witnessing yet another enthralling week of golf amidst the mesmerizing surroundings of J&K."

Om Prakash Chouhan, TATA Steel PGTI Rankings Leader, said, “I would really like to thank J&K Tourism for their continued support and especially for their support in conducting the latest edition of the J&K Open 2023. The course is playing beautifully and it is definitely one of the best courses in the country and the work done on the course is very evident. I have special memories of playing in J&K since I have won an event here way back in 2014 and I am looking forward to this week.”

Jammu and Kashmir is home to some of the top tourist destinations in the country. Jammu, bestowed with breathtaking scenic beauty amidst the proud mountain ranges exhibits all the qualities that make it a sought-after tourist destination. Among the most popular tourist attractions in the Jammu region are the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, Amar Mahal Palace, Mubarak Mandi Palace and Patnitop, to name a few.

The tournament is part of J&K Tourism’s great initiative of promoting golf tourism in the region. J&K is blessed with some spectacular golf courses such as Jammu Tawi Golf Course, Royal Springs Golf Course (Srinagar), Pahalgam Golf Course (Lidder Valley) and Gulmarg Golf Club. These courses provide a heavenly experience to golfers.

Jammu Tawi Golf Course, is an 18-hole course, designed by internationally renowned designer Col. K.D Bagga. The course was commissioned on April 24, 2011. This picturesque Golf Course is located along the National Highway 1A connecting Jammu to Srinagar, in a valley along the river Tawi. The course has fairways approximately 6600 meters in length, it has two big and three small water bodies and a water channel about 3200 meters long.

The Government of Jammu & Kashmir undertook the construction of this prestigious project of Jammu Tawi Golf Course with the intention of giving a boost to Golf Tourism and grooming young boys and girls to become golf professionals.