- Pornanong Phatlum fires final round 65 (-7) to win by four shots at DLF Golf & Country Club
- Thai star earns fourth Hero Women’s Indian Open victory after winning in 2008, 2009 and 2012
It was déjà vu in Delhi for Pornanong Phatlum at the 2026 Hero Women’s Indian Open as the Thai star fired a sensational 65 (-7) on Sunday to win the trophy for an unprecedented fourth time.
Returning to India for the first time in 14 years, Phatlum went bogey-free in the final round at DLF Golf & Country Club to leapfrog home favourite Vani Kapoor and secure a four-shot victory on 11-under par.
“I’m so happy right now!” the 36-year-old said, who also won the trophy on the Arnold Palmer course in 2008, 2009 and 2012. “I didn’t think I was going to win again, but I tried my best. This was a fantastic round for me. Every putt on the front nine dropped in the hole. Today feels incredible.
“I wanted to come back and try my best here again because I have such good memories here – wonderful memories. This is my fourth win here, so it makes me very happy.”
Teeing up in the final group with Kapoor and defending champion Shannon Tan on Sunday, and trailing the Indian by one shot, a match play situation quickly ensued between the two as both players birdied the opening par-4 – Kapoor after chipping in from the back of the green.
The home favourite would birdie the 2nd to open up a two shot lead before Phatlum responded with a fine birdie at the 3rd. This was followed by three more birdies at the 5th, 8th and 9th as the Sunday rivals made the turn all square.
On to the back-nine, and Kapoor would squander her lead for the first time in the final round dropping a shot at the 10th after her tee shot took at unfortunate kick. Despite a bounce back birdie at the 11th, Kapoor would hand LPGA star Phatlum the advantage again dropping shots at the 12th and 13th.
After a string of pars, birdies followed at the 15th and 16th for Phatlum as the 36-year-old drained two brilliant putts. Two pars to finish in front of the watching gallery would secure Phatlum a four-shot victory and historic fourth title at the Hero Women’s Indian Open – 18 years after her first.
“This means a lot to me,” the 36-year-old said, who earned her 23rd career title with the victory. “This year, I almost retired from professional golf. But winning again gives me more motivation. I feel like I can still play on tour, and I’ll try my best again next year.
“She [Vani Kapoor] played so well on the front nine, and I just followed her. I tried my best and putted really well today. Everything went in, and I got up and down really well, too. I think they wanted me to win again.”
Phatlum accepted Ladies European Tour (LET) membership following the win and will now tee up at next week’s Wistron Ladies Open in Chinese Taipei.
In solo second finished Kapoor on seven-under par who secured her best finish on the LET. It was a magnificent week for the Indian at her home course DLF Golf & Country Club as she now jumps to 69th on the Order of Merit.
“I gave it my best, 100%”, Kapoor said, who carded a round of 70 (-2) on Sunday. “Everything went according to plan. I don’t think I could have done anything more. I made a lot of birdies, especially considering the amount of pressure there was. I don’t think I would have made so many birdies in a single round before. I made a couple of mistakes too, but that’s part of the game. It’s better to accept it.”
Tan finished solo third on four-under par after putting up a valiant effort on her title defence. Czech Republic’s Sara Kouskova and India’s Pranavi Urs finished in a tie for fourth on three-under par. The result marks an excellent month for Urs who also won a Gold Medal in the Asian Games in Japan.
Argentina’s Magdalena Simmermacher returned to form finishing solo sixth on two-under par with India’s Tvesa Malik solo seventh on one-under par.
Next up for the stars of the LET is a trip to Chinese Taipei for the third edition of the Wistron Ladies Open at Sunrise Golf & Country Club. Follow all the action throughout the tournament via @LETgolf on Instagram and X and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube
