Liz Young returns to defend Hero Women’s Indian Open title

England’s Liz Young returns to the Hero Women’s Indian Open (HWIO) this week chasing history — aiming to become only the second multiple winner of India’s national women’s championship and the first to defend her title since Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum in 2009.

Playing her 10th appearance at the DLF Golf and Country Club, Gurugram, the 41-year-old called it one of her favourite stops on the Ladies European Tour (LET). “It’s great to be back. It’s been a challenging year, but I’m proud every time I look at that trophy at home. The course is playing differently from last year, so it’ll take some new shots, but I’m excited to be here again,” said Young at the pre-tournament press conference.

Joining her were LET Order of Merit leader Mimi Rhodes, last year’s No.1 Chiara Tamburlini, and India’s top names — Diksha Dagar, Tvesa Malik, and Hitaashee Bakshi. Hero MotoCorp’s Sanjay Bhan reaffirmed the company’s long-standing support for women’s golf, while WGAI President Kavita Singh praised DLF’s course preparation, calling it “a true test of skill and patience.”

Among the home hopefuls, Diksha Dagar—third last year and ranked 21st on the LET—will lead the Indian challenge, alongside Pranavi Urs, Avani Prashanth, Sneha Singh, Amandeep Drall, and Vani Kapoor.

The field features 110 players from 31 countries, including five of the LET’s top 10 and past champions like Camille Chevalier (2017). The US$500,000 event offers $75,000 to the winner and could prove decisive in the race for the LET Order of Merit, with only three tournaments left this season.

Photo – Golfers Tvesa Malik, Hitaashee Bakshi, Diksha Dagar of India and Liz Young (Eng), Chiara Tamburlini (Swi), Mimi Rhodes (Eng) along with Mr Sanjay Bhan, 
Executive Vice President, Hero MotoCorp, and Ms Kavita Singh, President, WGAI with the Hero Women’s Indian Open trophy