Nagoya Asian Games women’s golf champion Pranavi Urs (centre) of India on the podium along with silver medallist Yin Ruoning of China (left) and Singapore’s bronze medallist Shannon Tan. Also seen are International Golf Federation’s Antony Scanlon (far left) and Asia Pacific Golf Confederation board member Bones Floro. Image courtesy APGC.
By Rahul Banerji
Pranavi Urs overcame an early triple bogey, China’s Ruoning Yin and Shannon Tan of Singapore to win India’s first individual women’s golf gold medal at the Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday.
The Mysore golfer’s determined display also carried India to a runner-up finish in the team event with solid support from 2023 silver medallist Aditi Ashok at the Kasugai Country Club.
Pranavi, 23, closed with a level par 70 to total 15 under 265 having started with a three-shot lead, one ahead of Yin and 2025 Indian Open winner Tan who needed a playoff to decide the minor placings after they finished locked at 14 under 266.
Yin (67), the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA champion and former Ladies European Tour merit list topper Tan (68) stayed hard on the leader’s heels, but did not have enough to stretch her all the way.
The Chinese star did have her nose in front for a while with Pranavi’s triple bogey 7, but the Indian recovered with three birdies over the next 10 holes and was never headed thereafter.
Total focus
“Honestly didn’t know I won until Shannon said, ‘Well done’,” Pranavi was quoted as saying later.
“I just knew it was either a putt to win or it was a putt to force a playoff, and all I wanted to do was obviously hole the putt.
“I like being the first to do things. People will come along to do more but the first will always be the first,” Pranavi added on her historic medal.
Her mid-round recovery allied with Aditi’s run of six straight birdies on her back nine saw India total 14 under 546 for the silver medal, six shots behind China on 22 under 538.
Aditi finished 14th and Diksha Dagar shared 23rd place in the final standings.
Pranavi’s medal was India’s first gold from golf since the 2002 Games where Shiv Kapur topped the podium.
It was also the country’s richest haul since Delhi in 1982 where Lakshman Singh won the individual men’s gold, and teamed up with Amit Luthra, and late Rajiv Mohta for the team honours.
Vital win
There was plenty at stake on the men’s side too as South Korea’s Joohyung Kim eased to a three-shot win that also guaranteed him exemption from compulsory military service.
Kim, who starred in the Presidents Cup last week, left Medinah as soon as he won his Sunday singles match to catch the Asian Games in Nagoya with his sights on topping either of the two competitions.
In the end, his gold medal in the individual event was enough to earn exemption especially since the Koreans came up short in the team standings, finishing second on 26 under 534 behind China (28 under 532).
India were sixth behind third-placed Japan, and Taipei and Thailand, who tied for fourth. Veer Ahlawat and DP World PGTI rankings leader Saptak Talwar tied for sixth on the individual leaderboard on 9 under 271.
Yuvraj Sandhu was tied for 24th at 1 over 281 as Japan’s Kazuki Higa and Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand came through playoffs to decide the silver and bronze placings.
Flood of wishes
Women’s Golf Association of India secretary general Champika Sayal posted a message on X saying, “Big, Big Women’s bow — WGAI congratulates the Indian women players – A Historic first.”
DP World PGTI president Kapil Dev and CEO Amandeep Johl also congratulated Pranavi and the women’s team in separate messages.
Said Kapil, “Pranavi Urs’ historic gold medal in the women’s individual event and the silver medal won by our women’s team at the Asian Games are moments of immense pride for India and Indian golf.
“These medals are a reflection of the talent, determination and hard work of our players, and of the growing strength of women’s golf in our country.”
Added Johl, “Pranavi has delivered a remarkable performance at the Asian Games, and her historic gold medal is a proud moment for Indian golf. Her composure, consistency and belief throughout the competition have been truly impressive.
“We are delighted to see Pranavi, Aditi and Diksha perform on such a prestigious stage and put Indian golf firmly in the spotlight. Their achievements will inspire the next generation of Indian golfers.”
Also read: New leader Pranavi sets up absorbing final round at Nagoya
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