Ojaswini Saraswat arrived at the Hero Women’s Indian Open seeking experience. Two rounds later, the 13-year-old amateur had secured a place in the record books.
A three-under 69 at the demanding DLF Golf and Country Club carried Ojaswini safely into the weekend on her Ladies European Tour debut. With rounds of 79 and 69, the Jaipur golfer reached four-over 148 and occupied tied 26th place after 36 holes.
She is now the youngest Indian to make the cut in an LET tournament and the second-youngest player overall. Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn was 12 when she advanced to the weekend at the 2008 Finnair Masters. Aditi Ashok was 14 when she played the 2012 Hero Women’s Indian Open.
More than the record, it was the quality of Ojaswini’s response that made Friday memorable.
Seven over after the opening round, she returned without the caution that might have been expected from a player competing at this level for the first time. Ojaswini recorded seven birdies against four bogeys, with her performance on the par-threes providing the foundation for her recovery.
She birdied each of the course’s four par-three holes and remained level par for her round through 15. A stunning finish then changed the complexion of her championship as she birdied the 16th, 17th and 18th in succession to sign for a 69.
Ojaswini said she had identified where she went wrong in the opening round and approached Friday determined to regain those lost shots. She also credited her family, caddie and sponsors for supporting her development.
Her appearance at the national open marks another step in a golfing journey that began at the age of four. Introduced to the sport at the Mohali Golf Range, located close to her family’s home at the time, she now trains at Rambagh Golf Club in Jaipur while continuing her studies in Grade 8.
History at 13! 🇮🇳 Ojaswini Saraswat becomes the youngest Indian and second-youngest player to make a LET cut. Her 69 featured seven birdies, including all four par-3s and her final three holes, lifting her to T26 at +4 (79–69) on her LET debut. #HWIO2026 📸 @LETgolf https://t.co/72IewM1rCu
— Dead Solid Perfect🎙️ (@Deadsolidp) October 23, 2026
The teenager already possesses an impressive junior résumé. She finished runner-up at the 2024 US Kids World Championship in Pinehurst and earned silver at the US Kids European Championship later that year. She had also attended junior camps conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of India ahead of the 2018 Hero Women’s Indian Open.
Watching the championship last year encouraged Ojaswini to target a place in the field. She earned her opportunity in 2026 through her position among the leading available Indian players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini led the tournament at six-under after two rounds, two strokes ahead of India’s Asian Games champion Pranavi Urs and Argentina’s Magdalena Simmermacher.
For Ojaswini, the weekend offers something more valuable than a place on the leaderboard: another 36 holes to observe, compete against and learn from established international professionals. An exposure visit has already become a breakthrough week.
Photo – HWIO
