IGPL Announces Rs 1 Crore Reward for Pranavi Urs After Historic Gold
Pranavi Urs wins historic Asian Games golf gold. IGPL announces Rs 1 crore reward for her and Rs 25 lakh for the silver-winning women's team.
In a massive boost to Indian golf, the AM Green IGPL has announced a whopping Rs 1 crore reward for Pranavi Urs following her monumental victory at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The 23-year-old Mysuru native made history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian woman to secure an Asian Games gold medal in golf.
The celebration of Indian excellence extended beyond the individual victory. The league also announced a Rs 25 lakh award for the Indian women's team—comprising Pranavi Urs, Aditi Ashok, and Diksha Dagar—for their stellar performance in clinching the silver medal in the team event.
A Comeback for the Ages
Pranavi’s journey to the top was a test of nerves. Competing at the Kasugai Country Club East Course, she finished with a total of 15-under 265. Her path to gold was nearly derailed during the final round when a triple bogey on the par-four third hole erased her three-shot lead.
However, showing remarkable mental fortitude, she rebounded with a birdie on the sixth hole and maintained steady play to card an even-par 70. This resilience allowed her to stay one shot ahead of Singapore's Shannon Xuan Yin Tan and China's Yin Ruoning, who both finished at 14-under 266.
"The way she won it says a lot about her. She lost her lead on one hole in the final round and still came back to win, when most players would have folded," said Anurag Singh Thakur, who formally announced the awards at the Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi.
Ending a 24-Year Wait
Pranavi’s triumph marks a significant milestone for Indian sports, ending a drought that has lasted over two decades. India had not seen a gold medal in golf at the Asian Games since Shiv Kapur claimed the men's individual title in 2002.
The team silver was also a hard-fought achievement. Alongside Pranavi, Olympians Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar finished at 14-under, trailing only China. Aditi Ashok played a pivotal role on Saturday, delivering a brilliant three-under 67, highlighted by six consecutive birdies on the back nine.
Expert Praise for Mental Toughness
Legendary tennis icon and 18-time Grand Slam champion Leander Paes lauded the young golfer's temperament. "A triple bogey that early on the last day of an Asian Games can finish you off, but she stayed patient and played her way back. You don't learn that overnight. It comes from years of work that nobody sees," Paes remarked.
Pranavi's sister, Vidharti Urs, noted that her sister's aggressive playing style has been a hallmark of her game since the beginning.
Building the Future of Indian Golf
While celebrating the victory, Anurag Thakur emphasized the need for a stronger ecosystem to support young athletes. He pointed out the critical gap that occurs when players transition from school to higher education or professional careers.
"To produce more golfers like Pranavi, we need to address the gap that emerges after school... We need to invest more money and energy in building that ecosystem," Thakur stated.
The AM Green IGPL continues its mission to elevate Indian golf, with its second season scheduled to move to Hyderabad from October 7 to October 9 following the Delhi leg.