Pornanong Phatlum makes triumphant return with fourth win at Women’s Indian Open
Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum secures a historic fourth Women's Indian Open title, overcoming India's Vani Kapoor in a thrilling finish.
Thailand's seasoned golf star Pornanong Phatlum has etched her name further into the history books, claiming a remarkable fourth title at the US$ 500,000 Women’s Indian Open. In a display of sheer class and experience, the 36-year-old LPGA veteran overcame a spirited challenge from India's Vani Kapoor to secure a four-shot victory at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram.
A Rare and Historic Feat
Phatlum's victory is not just about the number of wins, but where they happened. Having previously conquered the tournament in 2008, 2009, and 2012 at the Arnold Palmer Course, she completed a unique sequence by winning this year on the Gary Player Course. She finished the tournament with a four-day total of 11-under 277.
While her initial rounds of 72, 71, and 69 kept her in the hunt, it was her final day performance that left the field in the dust. Under immense pressure, Phatlum delivered a flawless, bogey-free 7-under 65, proving why she remains one of the most formidable players in the game.
The Battle with Vani Kapoor
For much of the final day, the tournament evolved into a high-stakes duel between Phatlum and India's Vani Kapoor. Kapoor, who entered the final round with a slim one-shot lead, started with a whirlwind of momentum, carding four birdies in her first five holes.
However, the tide turned after a missed short birdie putt on the 9th hole, which seemed to disrupt her rhythm. Despite the setback, Kapoor finished with a 7-under 281 (73, 69, 69, 70), marking her best-ever result on the Ladies European Tour (LET). While the win slipped away, the second-place finish puts her in a strong position to secure a full card for the upcoming LET season.
"I gave it my 100 per cent, and everything went to plan. I don’t think I could have done anything more," said Vani Kapoor, attributing her late-round struggles to the pressure of the moment.
The Road to Redemption
This victory marks a significant personal milestone for Phatlum. After spending years competing on the LPGA Tour, she had not returned to India since 2012. More tellingly, the Thai golfer admitted she had contemplated retirement at the start of the year.
Her journey back to the top included a successful stint on the Epson Tour in 2024, which served as the feeder line to regain her LPGA status. Winning in India has reinvigorated her passion for the sport.
"India is like home, and I feel I can settle down here. My fourth win here is the most special as I didn’t think I was going to win again. It seems like a dream," Phatlum shared.
Leaderboard Highlights
The tournament saw a strong showing from several players, though none could match Phatlum's final-day surge:
- Shannon Tan: The defending champion finished third at 4-under 284, hampered by a sore wrist.
- Sara Kouskova: The Czechia golfer finished at 3-under 285.
- Pranavi Urs: The Asian Games gold medallist and Hero Brand Ambassador tied for 4th at 3-under 285.
- Tvesa Malik: Another Hero Brand Ambassador, Malik finished tied-7th at 1-under 287.
With this triumph, Phatlum has silenced any doubts about her longevity in the sport, stating firmly, "I am still good to continue on Tour, and I want to win more." Moving forward, the victory is expected to lead her to compete more frequently on the Ladies European Tour in the coming season.