Pranavi Urs has received a hero’s welcome at this week’s Hero Women’s Indian Open as the Indian star tees up for the first time since winning a historic Gold Medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
The 23-year-old saw off the challenge of Major champion Ruoning Yin and Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit winner Shannon Tan in Japan to become the first Indian to medal in the individual competition.
It was a historic victory which drew national attention as both President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Urs on her feat.
“It’s been hectic for sure,” Urs said, who also won Silver in the team competition alongside Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar. “I don’t think I’m used to the fame as much! But I’m slowly getting used to it. It’s so good for the game in India because suddenly everyone recognises you and they know more about what golf is. Even outside the golfing world, lots of people in India woke up just to watch me play. As an athlete that’s what you want, to give back to the sport. I’m glad that I could do it.
“It’s so surreal. I did not expect the reception I’ve had. As soon as I finished I had hundreds of phone calls and messages! My phone was flooded which was pretty cool. Obviously the Prime Minister and President too. I met the Prime Minister a couple of days ago and it was unreal. It’s been amazing since I won in Japan. I met Yuvraj Singh the famous cricketer too. He was there last week in Delhi so that was pretty cool.”
Last week, Urs was also honoured with meeting Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy at the DP World India Championship. The two compared notes at Delhi Golf Club with McIlroy offering some words of wisdom to the young Indian star.
“I’ve always looked up to him,” the LET star said. “It was funny because I did think about him when I made a triple-bogey on hole 3 in the final round. That’s similar to how he started when he won his first Masters [in 2025]. I told him about that and we had a little laugh about it. That was very cool.
“I was so nervous. I knew I was going to meet him but I honestly didn’t know what the interaction was going to be like. But he let me come out and walk with him for a few holes during the practice round. We had some good chats about golf – about how you can always come back from a bad round. We went through the same emotions but at different levels and different tournaments.”
As for this week, the Bangalore star will now tee up at her home event, the 18th staging of the Hero Women’s Indian Open, as she looks to become only the second Indian to win the event after Ashok in 2016.
Urs is one of 30 home players competing at the challenging DLF Golf & Country Club just outside Delhi. She insists it is the event she would like to win more than any other.
“It would be a dream event to win,” Urs said, who finished fourth in 2025, “The Hero Women’s Indian Open was my first start on the LET as an amateur. Winning on home soil would be the best feeling ever. I know a lot of the girls haven’t experienced that – they’ve won across the world but never on home soil. I really want to win.
“I’ve been playing well the second half of this season. But I was struggling to put four good rounds together in a row. To do it at such a high level [at the Asian Games] gives me immense confidence. I need to trust myself and be patient. I’ve been consistent this season which is always a good sign.”
Urs gets under way at the 2026 Hero Women’s Indian Open at 7:00 local time on Thursday playing alongside Singapore’s Tan, the defending champion, and 2017 winner Camille Chevalier from France.
Follow all the action throughout the tournament via @LETgolf on Instagram and X and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #HWIO2026
