Fourteen years after her last victory in India, Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum returned to the Hero Women’s Indian Open and reclaimed the title with the finest round of the championship.
The 36-year-old produced a bogey-free seven-under 65 at the DLF Golf and Country Club to overturn a one-shot deficit and defeat India’s Vani Kapoor by four strokes. Phatlum finished at 11-under 277, adding the 2026 crown to her victories in 2008, 2009 and 2012.
Her first three titles came on DLF’s former Arnold Palmer Course. Sunday’s win completed a distinctive double as she mastered the more demanding Gary Player layout on her first appearance at the tournament since 2012.
Phatlum began the final round one behind overnight leader Vani, but immediately applied pressure with birdies on the second and third. Further gains at the eighth and ninth took her to the turn in 32 before three more birdies on the back nine carried her clear of the field.
The victory completed rounds of 72, 71, 69 and 65 and marked an emphatic return to a tournament that played an important role early in her international career.
“India feels like home,” Phatlum said. “This fourth win is the most special because I did not expect to win here again. It feels like a dream.”
The result also provided fresh encouragement at a significant stage of her career. After regaining LPGA status through the Epson Tour and briefly considering retirement earlier this year, Phatlum now intends to divide more of her schedule between the LPGA and Ladies European Tour.
Vani records career-best LET finish
Vani began Sunday with a one-stroke lead and strengthened her position with four birdies across her opening five holes. Her fast start raised hopes of India’s first home victory since Aditi Ashok in 2016.
A missed birdie opportunity at the ninth, however, interrupted that momentum. While Phatlum accelerated, Vani encountered more demanding yardages and dropped shots on the back nine.
The Indian closed with a two-under 70 for seven-under 281, securing the best LET result of her career and sole second place.
Although the title eluded her, the performance significantly strengthened Vani’s prospects of earning full LET playing rights for next season. She said she had committed fully to her game plan and accepted that the few mistakes on the closing nine came while attempting to maintain pressure on an opponent producing flawless golf.
Three Indians finish inside top 10
Defending champion Shannon Tan, managing a sore wrist, returned an even-par 72 to finish third at four-under 284.
Asian Games champion Pranavi Urs shared fourth with Czechia’s Sara Kouskova at three-under 285. Pranavi, who battled a stomach illness throughout the week, closed with a 72 after late bogeys prevented her from mounting a sustained title challenge.
Tvesa Malik completed a strong week for the home contingent, finishing tied seventh at one-under 287 following a final-round 72.
Vani, Pranavi and Tvesa ensured three Indians finished inside the top 10. Yet the week ultimately belonged to Phatlum, whose clinical final round extended
Photo – LET
