Yogya Bhalla wins the 14th DGC Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship 2024

In the lead from Day 1, Yogya played her best right through to pip the others to the title

15 year old Yogya Bhalla, winner of 14th DGC Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship 2024 (left) with first runner up 17 year old Raza Kaur (right).

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi: The 14^th DGC Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship 2024, presented by USHA, concluded at the Delhi Golf Club, today. The three-day 54-hole WAGR tournament, that took place on the Lodhi and Peacock course, witnessed 110 talented women golfers showing their mettle on the course. Of these, 22 ladies competed for the championship title.

The prize distribution ceremony saw 15-year-old Yogya Bhalla (229) and 17-year-old Raza Kaur (235) emerge as winner and runners-up, respectively. A rare feat to achieve on the golf course, Simran Bajaj shot a hole in one on the fifth hole.

This year’s competition featured an impressive lineup of players, including rising stars like Yogya Bhalla, Raza Kaur, Mayali Kashyap, Ayesha Gupta, and Bhavya Mann, who are all familiar faces on the international circuits.

Like last year, this year’s championship was also eligible for World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points. The WAGR, overseen by the R&A and USGA, is a prestigious global ranking system for elite amateur players, featuring over 10,000 participants across more than 4,000 events worldwide.

Speaking at the award ceremony, the USHA spokesperson said, “The tournament showcased an exceptional level of golfing talent, reaffirming the success of our partnership with the Delhi Golf Club in promoting women’s golf. By providing a platform for these incredible athletes, we continue to champion USHA’s core values of fostering an active and healthy lifestyle. Congratulations to all the participants for their remarkable performances and passion for the game.”

Mrs Mala Bawa, Lady Captain at DGC said, “It is inspiring to see the energy and sportsman spirit of all the participants and it is because of USHA’s steadfast support that we’ve witnessed this evolution of women’s golf in India. It’s incredibly heartening to witness growing participation each year, with players ranging from 10 to 80 years. The recognition by WAGR reinforces that we are on the right path in creating impactful opportunities for our junior women golfers in the country and encouraging gender-equality in the sport.”

USHA has had a partnership with the Delhi Golf Club spanning close to four decades, promoting the growth of golf across various platforms, from junior to ladies’ tournaments, and nurturing the rise of numerous talented women golfers over the years. The brand has also been a dedicated supporter and promoter of a diverse range of inclusive sports and initiatives across the country. These include collaborations with organizations like the Mumbai Indians, as well as support for sports such as Ultimate Flying Disc, golf, and cricket for differently abled athletes. USHA also champions sports tailored for the visually impaired—such as athletics, kabaddi, judo, and powerlifting—and actively promotes indigenous Indian sports like Kalari, Chhinj, Siat Khnam, Thang-Ta, Saz-Loung, Satoliya (Pithu), Mallakhamb, Turai Kar, Kalari, and Gatka – exemplifying its commitment to encouraging inclusivity in sports.