Defending Champion Shannon Tan Headlines Hero Women's Indian Open at DLF Golf & Country Club

Tournament Field Gathers in New Delhi

The 2026 Hero Women's Indian Open is set to commence at the DLF Golf & Country Club in New Delhi from October 22–25. This Ladies European Tour event, featuring a USD 500,000 prize fund, draws a strong international contingent. Singapore's Shannon Tan, the defending champion, will return to compete for the trophy.

She secured her third Ladies European Tour title last year with a final-round 67, finishing at 7-under 281, one stroke ahead of Alice Hewson. Other past champions in the field include England's Liz Young, who won in 2024, and Germany's Olivia Cowan, the 2022 victor. The tournament is a highlight on the Asian golf calendar, bringing together a competitive lineup of players.

Elite Players and Indian Aspirations

The field also includes several past Ladies European Tour Order of Merit winners. Shannon Tan claimed the title in 2025, while Switzerland's Chiara Tamburlini was the 2024 winner, and Thailand's Trichat Cheenglab earned the honour in 2023.

Additionally, four players who have secured victories this current season are participating: England's Eleanor Givens (VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open), Thailand's Aunchisa Utama (Dutch Ladies Open), Germany's Leonie Harm (Amundi German Masters), and France's Agathe Laisné (Joburg Ladies Open and Ford Women's NSW Open).

Last year's runner-up, Alice Hewson, arrives with recent strong form, having tied for second at the La Sella Open in September at 8-under 208. Amid this international talent, the Indian contingent seeks its first win in a decade, following Aditi Ashok's victory in 2016. India's Hitaashee Bakshi placed third last year, finishing at 5-under.

Women's Golf Association of India Advocates for Growth

Kavita Singh, President of the Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI), used the tournament's press conference to advocate for increased government support and grassroots infrastructure for golf in India.

Singh challenged the perception of golf as an exclusive sport for the wealthy, stating that a lack of basic facilities and equipment hinders its growth and accessibility for young players.

She urged the government to provide better support for women golfers, noting that players currently bear the financial burden for resources like mental and physical coaches, a situation the WGAI board is working to change this year.

Singh referenced Japan and South Korea as examples of countries that have successfully expanded golf's reach by creating accessible practice facilities, such as rooftop nets for evening play.

Challenging Golf's Elite Image

Sanjay Bhan, Executive Vice-President of Hero MotoCorp, echoed the WGAI's sentiments, also challenging the notion of golf as an elitist activity. Bhan drew a parallel with cricket, which historically had aristocratic origins but has since become widely accessible and popular.

He argued that public access to golf courses is crucial for changing perceptions and expanding the sport's appeal. Bhan cited the United States, where approximately 90% of its 16,000 golf courses are public, allowing local residents to play without charge.

He concluded that a sport's accessibility, rather than its inherent nature, determines whether it is perceived as "rich." These discussions highlight an ongoing effort to broaden golf's appeal and participation base within India.

Impact on Indian Golf Development

The Women's Golf Association of India and Hero MotoCorp advocate for greater government backing and public access to golf facilities in India. Should these calls translate into policy, the sport could see a substantial increase in participation and interest across the country.

Such initiatives would broaden the player base, potentially leading to more competitive Indian golfers on the Ladies European Tour by 2030, mirroring the success seen in other Asian nations.

This focus on accessibility is critical for the long-term development of golf within India, aiming to cultivate talent from a wider demographic and strengthen the nation's presence on the international golf stage.