Singapore’s Tan is a surprise winner of the Hero Women’s Indian Open

Shannon Tan of Singapose poses with her Hero Women’s Indian Open trophy at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon on Sunday. The result also sealed her climb to the top of the season-long Ladies European Tour Order of Merit. Image courtesy of HWIO.

By Rahul Banerji

Shannon Tan claimed a surprise victory in the Hero Women’s Indian Open on Sunday without even being involved in the closing minutes at Gurgaon’s DLF Golf and Country Club.

As she sat in the clubhouse with a tournament total of 7 under par 271 waiting for Alice Hewson to complete the formalities for victory, the 21-year-old instead saw the title literally fall into her lap when the Englishwoman made a double bogey on the final hole.

Tan (68-73-73-67) arrived at the course seven shots off the lead on Sunday morning.

She left for Singapore in the evening as champion of the Hero Women’s Indian Open, a result she had not realistically expected, even with the best round of the day.

It was a disappointing end to leader Hitaashee Bakshi’s hopes of a first National Open victory in nine years, which would have given her a plethora of advantages.

Instead, her challenge disappeared within the first nine holes with a flurry of bogeys and a controversial double bogey on the par-5 hole 8, when it was determined that her tee shot had slipped into the adjacent water.

Long gap

After nearly 25 minutes were needed to make a decision, Hitaashee (76) had to trudge back to the tee box for her third shot, a resulting seven that effectively ended her chances.

However, there was some consolation in third place and the news that she did well enough to secure playing rights on next year’s Ladies European Tour.

Pranavi Urs (72) was a solid fourth at 4-under 284 and LET rookie Avani Prashanth (71) was fifth at 3-under 285.

Vani Kapoor (74) took a share of tenth place to give India its best ever finish at the national Women’s Open with three top five finishes and four top 10 finishes.

For Tan, however, the day only had happy news. The Singapore player has had a great year with one win and a host of top 10 finishes before traveling to India.

The DLF result also confirmed her climb to the top of the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit, displacing season leader Mimi Rhodes of England, who leaves India in second place in the rankings.

“I think I’m still quite shocked by what happened,” Tan said as she held her trophy. “I didn’t know what was happening there. Someone then said I was still in the race and I asked what was going on and found out what was happening there.”

Offline

Hewson’s drive was off-line and her second shot found the rough side, requiring a penalty drop. She still had a chance to force a playoff with a five-foot bogey putt, but saw the ball slide past the cup and the title slip away.

“Overall I had a very solid day,” said the Englishwoman (72), who achieved her third consecutive finish within the top 12 on the DLF course.

“I had a few loose tee shots today, but I fought hard all round and made some really nice par putts.

“It was just one loose drive on 18, which unfortunately led to a double bogey, but I couldn’t be happier for Shannon. If you can’t win yourself, it’s always good to see one of your friends win here too.”

In the dark

Tan added: “I didn’t really know what was going on in the group behind me until maybe hole 15 and I thought, I’m really back and knowing DLF, the last holes can be quite challenging.

“So I told myself to just stick to the game plan and give myself more opportunities.”

For DLF home player Hitaashee it was not the ending she had hoped for. “To be honest, since yesterday all I was thinking about was number one. But it’s okay, I mean, that’s golf, right?”

“You can play your best golf ever and not get the results you want and this was one of those days.

“On the other hand, I have just been told that I have secured my full card on the European Tour for next year and that sounds very nice.

“I’ve been allocated a spot at the Taiwan Open and I’ll see if I’ll play it or not, I haven’t confirmed it yet. Maybe that’s the next one I play.”

Of the other Indians who finished, amateur Zara Anand (74) finished tied for 15th and Amandeep Drall (76) tied for 20th. Diksha Dagar (79) finished T41.

Also read: Hitaashee takes three shots ahead on title Sunday on home court

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