Pornanong Phatlum, the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2026 champion with her trophy at the DLF GCC on Sunday. It is the fourth HWIO title in all for the Thai star. Image courtesy Ladies European Tour.
By Rahul Banerji
Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum won the $500,000 Hero Women’s Indian Open for the fourth time, overcoming a spirited fight by home favourite Vani Kapoor on Sunday.
The 36-year-old’s wins at the DLF GCC in 2008, 2009 and 2012 had come on the Arnold Palmer Course, and Pornanong completed the sequence by conquering the Gary Player Course with a total of 11 under par 277.
After rounds of 72, 71 and 69 over the first 54 holes, Pornanong left the best for the last, and the flawless bogey-free 7-under 65 under pressure was an exhibition of pure class.
It gave her a what was eventually a comfortable four-shot margin over the persevering Vani, for whom it was yet another strong performance on her home course.
Barring the start to the final day, when Asian Games gold medallist Pranavi Urs seemed to mount a charge, it was a straight 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) finished solo third. She was followed by Czechia’s Sara Kouskova at 3 under 285 (69, 72, 73, 71) along with Pranavi (70, 70, 73, 72).
Three Indians finished in the top 10 with Tvesa Malik (71-73-71-72) taking sole seventh place on 1 under 287.
Best result
Vani registered her best result on the Ladies European Tour with her sole second finish.
Going into the final day with a slender one-shot lead, Vani got off to a whirlwind start with four birdies in five holes, but missing a short birdie putt on the 9th appeared to upset her rhythm.
“I gave it my 100 per cent, and everything went to plan,” she said later.
“I don’t think I could have done anything more. 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 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.”
The solid result put her in line for a full card on the LET for the upcoming season.
At home
Phatlum 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.
“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.
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.
Sunday’s result will see Pornanong compete on the LET a lot more in the upcoming season.
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)
Also read: Vani Kapoor chases title glory at Hero Women’s Indian Open
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