Tvesa, Diksha gear up for first green Hero Women’s Indian Open

By Rahul Banerji

Tvesa Malik and Diksha Dagar warmed up for the 13^th Hero Women’s Indian Open that gets under way at the DLF Golf and Country Club on Thursday with solid performances at the Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open in Spain,

Aditi Ashok at eighth was the best-performing Indian but her schedule is such that she will miss the national Open for a second year running. Tvesa (T35) and Diksha (T49) are part of a large home contingent in the 120-strong field for the 10^th running of the event as part of the Ladies European Tour schedule.

Astha Madan was the fourth in the field but did not make the cut at the Terramar Golf Club in Sitges, Spain.

Tvesa ended Sunday on an 8-over 292 with rounds of 73, 72, 72 and 75 on the par-71 course while Diksha was 12-over (75-72-72-77). Aditi’s eighth place came on the back of her level par round of 284 that included cards of 74, 67, 71 and 72.

Tvesa and Gaurika Bishnoi were the best-placed home golfers at HWIO 2018, finishing tied 13^th.

Among the domestic entrants is 15-year-old Sneha Singh of Hyderabad, the only amateur winner on the Indian women’s professional tour this year.

Spain’s Carlotta Ciganda, one of the heroes of Europe’s one-point Solheim Cup win over the United States a fortnight ago, topped the field for the first time at an LET event on home soil.

The world no. 12 was 8-under for the week and finished one shot ahead of Esther Henesleit of Germany.

Looking forward

Diksha, 18 said ahead of HWIO 2019, “This is my fourth time at the Indian Open. I have played so many times on that course and I have an idea of how to play it – which side to play the ball and which side is trouble.

“I have to improve my putting. On that golf course, you need to focus on accuracy. The course is one of the toughest on the Ladies European Tour.

“This will be my first year as a pro at the Indian Open. I am very confident,” she was quoted as saying on the LET website.

Some of the established names in the field are defending champion Becky Morgan, 2017 winner Camille Chevalier, Beth Allen and Becky Brewerton, both former LET Order of Merit winners and LET winners Meghan MacLaren, Marianne Skarpnord, Kanyalak Preedasuttijit, Astrid Vayson de Pradenne, Florentyna Parker and Linda Wessberg.

HWIO to go plastic-free

Meanwhile, the Hero Women’s Indian Open will become the first major sporting event in the country to go free of single-use plastic to send out a strong message against the generation of plastic waste, it has been decided.

While players, official and volunteers will carry special HWIO edition stainless steel water bottles, those visiting the venue for India’s showpiece women’s professional golf event will be provided safe and clean drinking water in paper cups at 20 stations around the course, event organisers said.

The move comes after The Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland earlier this year adopted the path-breaking initiative, with players using laser-engraved, personalised steel bottles, much like what will be seen at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, which runs between October 3 and 6.

The ban will eliminate the use of  20,000 plastic water bottles during the course of the tournament.

The DLF Golf and Country Club has long used recycled water for all its needs related to the course, and is supportive of the massive logistical exercise this decision by HWIO 2019 organisers to keep plastics out, and yet make sure players, officials and fans are all hydrated safely and in an eco-friendly fashion.

Also read: Indian quartet in the fray at Lacoste Ladies Open de France