The May of Indian Women’s Golf
The month of May began under a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the Southern Swing of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour.
Amid escalating tensions in a specific region during the first week, a serious conflict unfolded between May 7th and 11th. Fortunately, the crisis lasted only four days. Although some airports were temporarily shut and Indian airspace was closed to civilian flights in frontline areas, the vastness of the country helped contain the disruption. Normal flight operations resumed within a week. As a result, the Southern Swing events scheduled in Mysuru and Bengaluru will proceed as planned.
A major boost for the sport came from Hero MotoCorp—our esteemed title sponsor—which has committed to an enhanced prize purse for the next three years for both the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour and the Hero Women’s Indian Open, our flagship international championship. The renewal of these sponsorships bodes well for the long-term viability of golf as a professional career option for Indian women.
Mimi Rhodes (Photo Courtesy- Tristan Jones/LET)
On the international circuit, five Indian players participated in events on the Ladies European Tour (LET), with three making the cut and securing top-20 finishes. English rookie Mimi Rhodes, 23, clinched her third title in a playoff, propelling her to the top of the 2025 LET Order of Merit. India’s Arjuna Awardee, Diksha Dagar, continued her consistent run with top-10 finishes over the past two months and currently holds 5th place on the Order of Merit. Hitashee Bakshi delivered a strong performance at the Dutch Open, finishing at -3. Notably, Avani Prashanth staged a remarkable comeback in the final round with a score of 67—one of the best rounds of her career—securing a top-20 finish.
Across the globe in Japan, the 45th Queen Sirikit Cup took place at the Tom Watson Golf Course, Phoenix Seagaia Resort, in Miyazaki Prefecture. Reflecting on my own experience as a player in the 3rd edition of the Cup in 1981, it’s striking how much has changed. Back then, Indian golfers faced cumbersome customs procedures for equipment—each club, regardless of its condition, had to be individually certified for clearance. The Japanese hospitality team, who welcomed us at the airport, were astonished by the state of our gear, bags, and practice balls. While the situation has improved, Indian golfers still rely heavily on imported equipment, which carries steep import duties, and custom fitting centers remain scarce across the country.
The Indian team this year was led by Vandana Agarwal as the non-playing captain. A national-level player and former competitor on the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour, Agarwal guided the three-member squad to an impressive 5th place among 13 nations, with a team score of -2. This marked the first time India recorded an under-par score in the championship. Amateur standout Zara Anand secured 7th place in the individual rankings, while Mannat Brar—India’s best performer at the 2024 Hero Women’s Indian Open—and Heena Kang completed the lineup.
The Queen Sirikit Cup, also known as the Asia-Pacific Amateur Team Championship, has seen rising success from nations such as Thailand, China, and India in recent years. However, Korea, the USA, and Japan continue to dominate global women’s professional golf. While India has produced several stars on the LET, Aditi Ashok remains the only Indian golfer currently competing on the LPGA Tour.
In the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, India now has three players ranked in the top 200 and 16 players within the top 1500—a testament to the steady progress of Indian women’s golf.
Meanwhile, Women’s Golf Day (WGD), now in its 10th year, has become a global phenomenon, celebrated at over 1,300 locations in 84 countries. Held from May 27th to June 3rd, this initiative continues to inspire Indian women golfers as well. Founded by American golfer Elisa Gaudet—who began playing at age 14—WGD has had a far-reaching impact. Gaudet visited India in 2019 as a guest speaker at the Asia Pacific Golf Summit held at DLF Golf & Country Club, leaving a lasting impression on the Indian golfing community.
Looking ahead, a new generation of promising young talent is emerging, driven by increased exposure through social media and events like Women’s Golf Day. With continued support and investment, Indian women’s golf is poised for even greater achievements in the years to come.
Champika N Sayal
June 2025
