Saanvi Somu leads new wave as Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour opens 2026 season

Saanvi Somu headlines a strong intake of 14 new professionals as the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour 2026 tees off this week at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC).

Ten of the new pros earned their cards through the qualifying school at Jaypee Wishtown, while four qualified via the IGU Ladies Order of Merit and WAGR, taking the Women’s Golf Association of India’s registered professional count to a record 62 players.

The opening event, starting January 13, marks the beginning of the Tour’s 15th season and carries a purse of Rs.17 lakh. Former Hero Order of Merit winner Sneha Singh leads the field, setting the tone for a year that continues the Tour’s recent growth.

Of the Rs.2.5 crore prize purse for the season, Rs.1.47 crore has already been distributed between April and December 2025. The remaining Rs.1.03 crore will be paid out across the next six events, running through March, before the remaining nine tournaments are staged later in the year.

Sneha, one of three multiple winners in 2025, will face stiff competition from Amandeep Drall, Ridhima Dilawari, Jasmine Shekar, Rhea Purvi Saravanan and Vidhatri Urs, among others. Five of the top six players from last year’s Merit List are in the field despite a few leading names skipping the opener.

Among the newcomers, Saanvi Somu stands out. A four-time runner-up still searching for her maiden win, the former amateur international could be one to watch this season.

Four amateurs are also in the field, led by Zara Anand, alongside Kashika Mishra, Aradhana Manikandan and Thea Ajoomal, adding another layer of promise to the season’s first week.

Photo – LET