The last time an Indian player stood atop the podium at the Hero Women’s Indian Open was in 2016. Aditi Ashok, only 18 at the time and recently returned from the Rio Olympics, managed to edge out the two-time major winner Brittany Lincicome by a single stroke. This wasn't just a tournament win; it was a historic breakthrough, as it was the first time an Indian golfer had ever captured a title on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
Aditi will be missing the 16th edition of the event at DLF Golf and Country Club this Thursday, as she is currently focused on the PGA Tour. However, several other Indian golfers are eager to end the seven-year drought for a home-grown champion. Leading the local charge are the veteran Diksha Dagar, Tvesa Malik, who is playing some of her best golf, and the promising young talent Hitaashee Bakshi.
Diksha Dagar is carrying high expectations for the host nation, bolstered by her overall experience and a strong third-place finish on this course last season. At 23, she is the only other Indian besides Aditi to have won on the European Tour, boasting two victories, although she is currently working through a period of inconsistent play.
“It’s high time we see someone from India win this,” said the two-time Olympian. She expressed her excitement about returning to the tournament, noting that the venue always brings back great memories. For her, winning here is a personal milestone and a long-term goal she's been chasing.
Another player to watch is Tvesa Malik. She’s had a standout year, claiming her first win on the Sunshine Ladies Tour at the SuperSport Ladies Challenge by three strokes. She also nearly won the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open, narrowly losing to England's Alice Hewson in a playoff.
Malik believes that familiarity with the course is a huge asset. According to her, having played there before helps a golfer understand the layout and know where a mistake is less costly, whereas newcomers might find the course visually intimidating. She did note, however, that the greens are playing faster and firmer this year, which will add a layer of difficulty.
Beyond the prize money, a victory here could be a massive career catalyst. Aditi’s rise was explosive following her HWIO win; within two weeks, she won the Qatar Ladies Open, finished second on the Order of Merit, and was named Rookie of the Year. This momentum helped her qualify for the 2017 LPGA Tour, eventually leading to a silver medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou and a near-miss for a medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Her journey is incredibly inspiring,” said Hitaashee Bakshi, who currently leads the domestic WGAI tour's Order of Merit. Bakshi is already playing on the Thailand PGA tour and has her sights set on the LET Q School and the USPGA. Like Aditi, she dreams of competing on the PGA Tour and winning Olympic gold. The 19-year-old hopes this tournament is the start of that journey, stating that while she'd love to win, her primary goal is to be the top-performing Indian in the field.
India will be well-represented with 27 local players among the 114 competitors. Fans will be looking out for Pranavi Urs and Vani Kapoor, both of whom have a history of playing well at this venue, as well as Amandeep Drall, who tied for second place two years ago.