Pornanong Phatlum makes triumphant return with fourth win at Hero Women’s Indian Open

Three Indians finish in the Top-10

 

Rakesh Thapliyal 

Gurugram, October 25: Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum completed a rare feat by winning the US$ 500,000 Hero Women’s Indian Open a fourth time with a four-shot win, overcoming a spirited fight by India’s Vani Kapoor on Sunday.

The 36-year-old seasoned LPGA player’s wins at the DLF Golf and Country Club in 2008, 2009 and 2012 had come at the adjoining Arnold Palmer Course, and Pornanong completed the sequence by conquering the Gary Player Course with a four-day score of 11-under 277.

After posting rounds of 72, 71, 69, Pornanong left the best for the last, and the flawless bogey-free 7-under 65 under pressure spoke of pure class, as well as the difference from the rest of the field.

Barring the start to the final day, when Asian Games gold medallist and Hero Brand Ambassador Pranavi Urs seemed to mount a charge, it was mainly a two-player contest between Pornanong and Vani, who finished at 7-under 281 (73, 69, 69, 70).

In a bid to protect a sore wrist, defending champion Shannon Tan at 4-under 284 (68, 77, 67, 72) played far below her potential and finished at sole third. She was followed by Czechia’s Sara Kouskova at 3-under 285 (69, 72, 73, 71) along with Pranavi (70, 70, 73, 72) at T-4.

There were three Indians in the top-10 on the leaderboard with Tvesa Malik, also a Hero Brand Ambassado, finishing Tied-7th at 1-under 287 with scores of 71, 73, 71, 72.

 

Gallant contest

Vani registered her best result on the Ladies European Tour (LET) with her sole second finish. Going into the final day with a slender one-shot lead, it could well have been a breakthrough win on the LET for Vani. She got off to a whirlwind start with four birdies in five holes, but missing the short birdie putt on the 9th appeared to upset her rhythm.

Vani’s moment will surely come, and while the disappointment of not completing the task will linger, the solid result puts her in line for a full card on the LET for the upcoming season.

 

Glorious return

Pornanong ticked a few boxes herself after arriving in India as one of the invitees this week. The demands of competing on the LPGA had prevented her from returning to India after 2012, but it is only appropriate that this week has come at a time when the 36-year-old is rediscovering herself on the LPGA Tour.

The run in 2024 on the Epson Tour, the feeder line to the LPGA, helped Pornanong as a win that year got her back on the LPGA and the past season was about ascendancy on the main tour.

“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,” Pornanong said.

It was the affinity for this land that got coupled with her quick understanding of this golf course and its demands. The road back hasn’t been easy, and Pornanong even contemplated retirement at the start of the year, but that thought has been put to rest.

“I am still good to continue on Tour, and I want to win more,” she said.

Pornanong will need to make smart travel choices, and Sunday’s result will see her compete on the LET a lot more in the upcoming season.

 

Giving it her best

Vani fought through disappointment to accept the result handed out by her smiling vanquisher, Pornanong, who put to use her immense experience of competing on the LPGA.

“I gave it my 100 per cent, and everything went to plan. I don’t think I could have done anything more. I made a lot of birdies, especially considering the amount of pressure there was.

“I don’t think I would have made so many birdies in a single round before. I made a couple of mistakes too, but that’s part of the game. It’s better to accept it,” Vani said.

The reference was to the stark difference between her two nines – the first dotted with birdies and the other with dropped shots.

Vani attributed it to pressure. “It’s all about timing. There were some in-between shots where there was extra pressure. You don’t have exactly the yardage you want, and you have to think about where you can miss the ball. Those are stressful shots, so there was a little mistake there.”

Undone by result

Despite the stomach bug, Pranavi fancied her chances, and the end to Sunday with the back-to-back bogeys was an apt sum-up of her up-and-down game.

“It’s definitely not the result I wanted. I wanted to win. Especially with the way I’ve been playing, I thought I would have a chance. The biggest obstacle was my stomach. I wasn’t feeling my best, but I’m proud of how I conducted myself throughout the week,” said Pranavi.

The result is enough encouragement to strive for more, and Pranavi will attempt to win on the LET in her upcoming starts.

 

Top Scores:

• 277: Pornanong Phatlum (72, 71, 69, 65)
• 281: Vani Kapoor (73, 69, 69, 70)
• 284: Shannon Tan (68, 77, 67, 72)
• 285: Sara Kouskova (69, 72, 73, 71); Pranavi Urs (70, 70, 73, 72)
• 286: Magdalena Simmermacher (68, 72, 73, 73)
• 287: Tvesa Malik (71, 73, 71, 72)

Photo Courtesy: Ladies European Tour.

 

PORNANONG PHATLUM QUOTES:

– On becoming a four-time winner in India:
It’s very exciting. This is my fourth win here, and it feels like a dream. Winning four times is not easy. It’s a dream come true.

– On her seven-under-par final round:
Today, I tried to focus on my game and not think too much. I think India likes me! I putted very well, made a lot of birdies and played bogey-free. It was a fantastic round.

– On what the victory means and her future on tour:
This win means a lot to me. I feel like I can still play good golf and continue playing on tour. I still enjoy playing golf, and I still want to compete. I want to win more.

– On feeling at home in India:
I’m very happy to be back in India. Everyone welcomes me, and when I’m here, I feel at home. I feel like I can eat everything here! I really enjoy the food, the course and everyone’s support.

– On her preparation the night before the final round:
Last night, I enjoyed some Thai food, had a massage and relaxed. I focused on recovering and getting my body ready for today’s round.

– On her battle with Vani Kapoor:
Vani played so well on the front nine. She made birdies, and I just kept trying my best. I looked at my score and realised I had one-putted every hole on the front nine. It was incredible.

I felt that if I did everything I had planned well, I could win.

– On the back nine:
I didn’t make a lot of birdies on the back nine, but I think everyone was getting tired because of the sun and the heat.

I just tried to hit good shots, and my putting continued to work really well all day.

– On her favourite of the four victories:
I think this one is my favourite because I hadn’t won for a long time. I’ve been playing golf for a long time, so this victory is very special.

– On India feeling like a second home:
Yes, I think I could live in India! I think Indians like me a lot. I’m very happy to be back, and I’ve played well every time I’ve come to India.

– On the Gary Player course at DLF Golf and Country Club:
This course is very challenging, and you need a really good game plan. It’s very narrow, the greens are firm, and there are a lot of slopes on them. You have to plan everything very carefully.

– On playing more LET events: 
Yes, I think so. I’m going to be a member of the LET next year after this win.

– On returning to defend her title:
I’ll be back next year.