Camille Chevalier chases a double at Hero Women’s Indian Open

By Rahul Banerji

Camille Chevalier will return to the scene of her maiden victory in the Hero Women’s Indian Open at DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon next week in search of a second title.

Last year, the French star sank five birdies in her last eight holes to become the third successive Ladies European Tour rookie to win.

Previous winners Emily Kristine Pedersen (2015) and Aditi Ashok (2016) went on to become the LET rookie of the year in their debut season on tour.

With rounds of 68, 69 and 67, Chevalier finished on 12-under-par to narrowly edge out early leader Scotland’s Michele Thomson.

Anne Van Dam, Carlota Ciganda and Sarah Kemp ended three strokes further back in third place.

Getting ready

With days t go for HWIO 2018, Chevalier has been busy gearing to to defend her title on the DLF course.

Chevalier said that regular practice at Le Golf National in Paris, the 2018 Ryder Cup venue has been goof preparation for the challenging Gary Player-designed Black Knight Course.

“It’s a technical course, so you have to play a variety of shots and hit the right parts of the greens.

“It’s very different to the American courses I’ve played on the Symetra Tour, which are very wide open and you just have to make a lot of birdies.

“At DLF, you can make birdies, but you really have to play smart. The greens are also very grainy. I’m excited to go back and see the course, because I think it suits my game well.”

In the last three editions, it has ultimately all come down to the dramatic 18th hole at DLF.

Different approach

Unlike Matt Wallace, who won the men’s Hero Indian Open at the same venue in March, with some bold second shots played over the lake, Chevalier’s precision helped her walk away with the women’s trophy.

At her 54th hole, she laid up short of the water and played a wedge to within a metre of the hole, before rolling in the putt for birdie.

Chevalier says that being able to share the moment with friends and family was the highlight.

This time, she hopes to celebrate again by taking them to visit the Taj Mahal and New Delhi.

Also read: Half-million-dollar boost for Hero Women’s Indian Open