Delhi will forever hold a special place in Christine Wolf‘s heart after the Austrian produced the ultimate redemption story to win the Hero Indian Women’s Open in 2019 – her sole victory on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
After some wonderful play in 2018 the Olympian came up agonisingly short of hoisting the trophy when a double-bogey on the 18th hole saw her fall behind Wales’ Becky Morgan, who was able to clinch her own maiden victory in spectacular circumstances.
Returning to DLF Golf & Country Club in 2019 and ready to roar with redemption, Wolf fired a final round 69 (-3) to win by three shots and finally join the LET winner’s circle to the elation of her and her peers.
Returning this year for the 2023 edition, Wolf is beaming with excitement and is feeling comfortable at a course she knows all too well.
“It’s so nice being back here,” the 34-year-old said. “It almost feels like coming home. I feel really comfortable here and I had a really warm welcome when I arrived. It’s just so nice being back.
“I love the food here and the people. They’re so happy and welcoming. It always feels like they really enjoy having us back here. And of course the food is amazing.
“I think it was life-changing for me. Especially after 2018. I just came here and felt really comfortable, played well, and got redemption on 18! It was a really good year for me.”
Known for her precision off the tee, the narrow, undulating nature of the Gary Player championship course at DLF Golf & Country Club has continued to prove a happy hunting ground for Wolf, with the Austrian recording two other top-20 finishes at the track throughout the years.
“I think what really helps is that I hit it straight,” she explains. “I can hit driver on a lot of holes which I know a lot girls do because they don’t feel as comfortable. I think driver is one of strongest clubs in the bag. I guess the course just suits my eye.
“I played 18 holes yesterday and feel very comfortable and happy. It’s nice coming back when you know the course so well. It also helps to boost your game because you know, ok, I’ve hit this shot here and I’ve hit this shot there. It makes you feel comfortable.”
While nostalgic comforts also come in the form of Wolf’s caddie this week, the local looper who has struck up quite the partnership with the Olympian over the years.
She said: “He’s been on my bag since 2016 or 2017. We’ve kept in contact since then and he always waits for me to come back! He’s been on my bag ever since we first came back to DLF and it’s been a good combination.”
As for her form, Wolf is looking to make a move up the Race to Costa del Sol with the Austrian currently 61st in the standings.
“My game has been going upwards which is nice,” Wolf said, who arrives in Delhi off the back of a T21 finish at the Aramco Team Series – Hong Kong Individual event. “I’ve had a bit of an up-and-down year this year, had only one top-10. So a good week would be good to make a move in the Race to Costa del Sol, moving up a few spots to keep my card. But I don’t really want to think about that too much. I just want to have a good week here.
“Of course I would love to win it again and I would love to do it here. I haven’t won since [2019], so it would be very special. But we will see. There’s four days to go and there’s a lot of golf to play. There’s a lot of girls in good shape so we will see. The competition is hard but I will try my best.”
Wolf gets under way at the 2023 Hero Women’s Indian Open at 12:05pm on Thursday playing alongside France’s Nastasia Nadaud and Sweden’s Linnea Johansson.
