Christine Wolf buried the ghosts of the past with a bogey-free final round to clinch the Hero Women’s Indian Open for her maiden Ladies European Tour title. The HWIO and the DLF Golf and Country Club is becoming a happy hunting ground for first-time winners. Following Welsh veteran Becky Morgan’s breakthrough win after 19 long years on the Ladies European Tour in 2018, it was the 30-year-old Austrian Wolf’s turn as she grabbed her first title after six years on the Tour.
Wolf showed no nervousness on the final day as she delivered a commanding bogey-free final round of 69 to total 11-under 277 and win with rounds of 73, 68, 67 and 69. She finished three shots ahead of Marianne Skarpnord (70 and eight-under) and four ahead of MacLaren (72 and seven-under). Whitney Hillier, the halfway co-leader, shot 72 and was sole fourth at six-under.
A year ago in 2018, Wolf fumbled twice. First on the third day while being well ahead and on the final day, when she was tied for the lead. She shot a quadruple bogey on the third day and a double bogey on the final day and finished Tied-second allowing Morgan to grab the title. This time, there was to be no such error.
“I’m super happy obviously with this first LET win, but also that I did it here,” said a beaming Wolf. “Everyone knew of last year’s drama coming into the week here so to win by three shots was very nice. But you can’t get ahead of yourself in golf and I was obviously a little nervous.”
Anika, the next golfing star?
The 15-year-old, Anika Varma, who shifted her base to the USA for her high school and golf shot a 2-under 70 here today to finish solo fifth with her total score of 3-under 285(76,72,67,70). Anika shot a total of 15 birdies, 8 bogeys, a double and a triple-bogeys with 47 pars in her 72 holes of play over four days.
With her solo fifth performance, Anika is now only the second-best ever amateur finisher at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, since its inception in 2007, the best amateur performance came from Meghna Bal, aged 19, the same year it made its appearance as the DLF Women’s Indian Open, a name associated to it until 2009.
“I feel pretty good. I enjoyed my round today on the course. It was a good day for me and I enjoyed every part of it.
I was pretty nervous in the beginning but as soon as I hit my first tee shot I felt fine. I had a good group (with Sweden’s Emma Nilsson and Manon De Roey of Belgium) today and I enjoyed playing with them. That helped me play well too.
I was pretty consistent today, just had one double (bogey) on the 16th. Before that, I was doing pretty good and I didn’t miss a single regulation before the 16th hole, I think only that one and the 18th, which was the highlight of my day.”
Tvesa Malik – Best Indian Professional
Tvesa Malik was the top Indian finisher along with Gaurika Bishnoi in the 2018 edition, this year she went ahead and shot a total score of 1-under 287 and individual rounds of 72,72,71 & 72 to finish tied-6th with
“I think it was a little bit more of a struggle but I am happy with my overall performance for the week. I think I am happy with my game and the way I handled the pressure on the course, so I’m quite pleased overall.
I missed a lot of putts so that wasn’t a great part of my game. On the 18th hole, I definitely wasn’t expecting that to happen at all (chip-n from off the green) so I’m glad I could make a birdie from there.
I’ve learnt a lot this year and my game has progressed. I’m happy with the way I have been playing but there’s still a long way to go. But I think I’m on the right track.
There are two more events I have on the WGAI here and a couple more on the LET in November and December so we’ll see how this goes.”