Pranavi Urs Gets Rs 1 Crore Reward for Historic Asian Games Gold
Asian Games gold medallist Pranavi Urs receives a Rs 1 crore reward from Anurag Thakur at the DP World India Championship in Delhi.
In a grand celebration of sporting excellence, Pranavi Urs, the first Indian woman to secure an individual gold medal in golf at the Asian Games, was honoured with a cheque for Rs 1 crore. The reward was presented by Member of Parliament and former Union Sports Minister, Anurag Singh Thakur, during the DP World India Championship held at the Delhi Golf Club on Friday.
A Landmark Moment for Indian Golf
The felicitation, hosted by AM Green IGPL during the second round of the $4 million event, served as a tribute to Pranavi's groundbreaking achievement at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Leander Paes, the tennis legend, Raj Khanna (President of Delhi Golf Club), Uttam Singh Mundy (CEO of IGPL), and Manav Jaini (Director of Bharath Golf Private Limited).
Speaking at the event, Anurag Thakur emphasized the significance of Pranavi's victory, stating that she has provided Indian golf with a milestone it had long awaited. He noted that honouring her in front of passionate fans at a DP World Tour event was the perfect setting, adding that young girls picking up golf clubs today now have an Asian Games champion to emulate.
The Dramatic Path to Gold
Pranavi's journey to the top of the podium in Japan on October 3 was a masterclass in resilience. Entering the final round with a comfortable three-shot lead, the 23-year-old faced a sudden setback when a triple bogey on the third hole erased her advantage.
Refusing to buckle under pressure, Pranavi fought back with three birdies to finish with a total of 15-under 265. This gritty performance allowed her to edge out Singapore's Shannon Tan and China's Yin Ruoning—a six-time LPGA winner—by a single shot.
Ending a 24-Year Drought
Pranavi's triumph is not just a personal victory but a national milestone. Her gold medal ended a 24-year wait for an individual Asian Games gold in golf for India. The last time an Indian had achieved this feat was in 2002, when Shiv Kapur won the men's title in Busan.
Beyond her individual success, Pranavi was also instrumental in helping India secure a silver medal in the women's team competition, competing alongside teammates Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar.
A Path-Breaker in the Sport
Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of AM Green IGPL, hailed Pranavi as a "path-breaker," recalling that she had previously become the first Indian to win a mixed pro event at the IGPL Invitational in Mumbai last year. He remarked that her gold medal is the kind of result that Indian golf strives for over many years and deserved to be celebrated on one of the country's biggest golf stages.
"I'm just grateful for the opportunity. To be able to compete against the top men professionals and beat them again, I think that just motivates us," said Pranavi Urs during the ceremony.
Reflecting on her whirlwind fortnight, Pranavi expressed her gratitude to Anurag Thakur and AM Green IGPL. She dedicated her medal to everyone who had supported her since the beginning of her career, expressing her hope that her success would inspire more Indian girls to take up the sport.