Rousing start by home challengers at Hero Women’s Indian Open

Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini held the clubhouse lead on day one of the 2026 Hero Women’s Indian Open in Gurgaon on Thursday. Image courtesy HWIO.

Rousing start by home challengers at Hero Women’s Indian Open

By Rahul Banerji

Pranavi Urs. Avani Prashanth and Tvesa Malik were inside the top 10 after day one of the $500,000 Hero Women’s Indian Open at the DLF course in Gurgaon on Thursday.

Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini led the way with a 5 under par 67, one shot ahead of defending champion Shannon Tan of Singapore who was alongside Magdalena Simmermacher of Argentina in second place on 4 under 68.

Pranavi and Avani were in a four-way tie for fifth place on 2 under 70s while Tvesa shared ninth place along with five others including 2017 winner Camille Chevalier of France on 1 under 71.

Given her status, Shannon—the 2025 Ladies European Tour Order of Merit champion—has a lot riding on her as she chases a title double in Gurgaon.

Sweden’s Andrea Lignell was on the 18th fairway when darkness stopped play at 5:57 pm.

Playing in the morning wave with Shannon, Pranavi could have fared better had she not been bothered by a stomach bug.

“It’s is not good for this golf course considering how challenging it is. I just had to keep it all together and play, which I did very well,” said Pranavi later.

Contrasting fortunes

It was a day of contrasting fortunes for Tvesa and Diksha Dagar with the former at T9 and Diksha T62 with a 5 over 77.

Avani’s round was a contrast to her up-and- down season on the LET. It was injury, and nine weeks of non-stop golf which, according to her, aggravated back issues.

The struggle showed in the results, and at one point the 20-year-old was staring at losing her playing rights for the 2027 LET season with the massive slip on the order of merit.

A rally in the latter part of the year has placed her in the safe zone, and the relief found reflection in her golf on Thursday.

“My approach game was the best it has ever been. To be able to attack some of these flags and hit it as close as I did is something I’m happy with,” said Avani.

Paying off

“My approach game is something I’ve been working on, so I’m glad to see it paying off.

“I would definitely give myself an A-plus for today, for every part of my game but putting. I know I made a few clutch par putts, but I didn’t drop as many birdies as I could have, because of how good my approach game was.”

Meanwhile, clubhouse leader and 2024 LET Order of Merit topper Tamburlini attributed her 67 on the day to “simple golf”, which she had missed for a while.

“I hit quite a few fairways and felt quite comfortable with my irons as well. I converted a lot of putts, and the putter was definitely what made it possible to go low,” she said.

Round 2 will commence at 6:40 am on Friday.

Leading scores

67: Chiara Tamburlini (SUI)

68: Shannon Tan (SIN), Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG)

69: Sara Kouskova (CZE)

70: Pranavi Urs (IND), Lois Lau (FRA), Avani Prashanth (IND), Dorthea Forbrigd (NOR)

71: Ursula Wikstrom (FIN), April Angurasaranee (THA), Camille Chevalier (FRA), Eleanor Givens (ENG), Emma Spitz (AUT), Tvesa Malik (IND) 

Also read: Pranavi keen to replicate Asiad form at Hero Women’s Indian Open