Women’s India Open: Vani Kapoor makes herself heard but Phatlum has the last word

The Indian finished second, the Thai invitee has four triumphs at the Women’s Indian Open GURUGRAM: Autumn leaves were falling at the overlook where many gathered to catch a glimpse of the ninth hole at DLF G&CC. Overnight leader Vani Kapoor’s blistering birdie at the eighth kept her ahead of experienced Thai Pornanong Phatlum, already a three-time winner at the venue, albeit on the old layout designed by Arnold Palmer.People could sense the turning point when the LPGA golfer got her fifth birdie of the day. The home pro stood over her little pressure putt, studying the lines over and over, taking a step back, playing it in her mind, then trying again. She finally got it right, it was a mistake!A leaf fell on his shoulder again. Did nature say that even hope was extinguished? Spectators stood in disbelief, then politely applauded in admiration as the calm Thai caught up to the home challenger.Perhaps the elusive Hero Women’s Indian Open trophy has once again slipped from our grasp.At the par-four 10th, Vania’s second shot was short and her wedge didn’t find the right spot on the green. As Phatlum settled for her two-putt par, Vania’s putter missed the mark again for bogey. The narrative has changed.This is the club where Vani, a star student at DLF Academy, grew up. A casual stroll here often resulted in bumping into a confident little girl whose dreams were big. Now 32 years old, her expectations were now tempered by the rush of reality. But despite all the disappointments at home and abroad, she continued with a happy demeanor.In golf, you could come in second, but you were still a winner, but only one could walk away with a prize, and that person needs a little luck, she said earlier.A stumble on the back nine gave Vani second place. Yes, she was still a winner. But champion Phatlum made her own luck. When the Indian came out with all her irons blazing, with four birdies in five holes, the Thai managed three of her own and added two more before the turn.Pars can be powerful if you’re ahead and others aren’t making their moves. Phatlum was creating her own new chapter with two more birdies after a lull in the strong afternoon sun for a final day bogey-free 7-under 65 and a magical fourth triumph by four shots.Vani quietly accepted her lot with a round of 70 as her bogeys on the return leg set the tone for an unfortunate finish. “I think this year I was a lot more confident and grounded. I had a lot more clarity in my head and a sense of purpose,” she shared of her positive notes.But she felt the pressure. “Some of the shots you don’t have have the exact yardage you want and you have to think about where you can miss the ball. They’re stressful, so there were little mistakes.”But where the margins are slim, especially on the sloping greens of the Gary Player Course, little can happen in the championship fight. “I don’t think I could have done anything more. I made a lot of birdies, especially with the amount of pressure that was there. I made a few mistakes as well, but that’s part of the game.”Golf can be cruel, but it can also be rejuvenating.It’s the end of a long drought for the diminutive Thai conqueror with the infectious smile.Returning to India after 14 years by invitation, Phatlum got her first look at the changed environment and used all her experience on American shores to plan her journey around the pitch where “every shot counts”.With soft skills to match the silky Mudmee her hometown of Khon Kaen is known for, Phatlum continued to improve with rounds of 72, 71, 69 as her understanding of the course grew, finishing with a high of 65. With a solo runner-up finish at the 2018 Women’s British Open on her resume, she had the 2009 Women’s Indian Open2 champion at 2009. LPGA. With the 2026 crown, her love affair with the tournament continued. “I think I could live in India,” the 36-year-old said with a chuckle.Stomach bug Pranavi’s biggest challengeIndians are closing in on this sacred trophy won by Aditi Ashok in 2016.Second place is good so far. “It was Pornanongo’s experience that came today,” explained Pranavi Urs, who finished tied for fourth.It was a week the Asian Games gold medalist was looking forward to. “With the way I was playing, I thought I would have a chance.The biggest obstacle wasn’t the course, but her stomach. Without a proper meal since Pro-Am day, the breathless figure could be seen struggling as the day progressed. Despite the difficulties, the Mysuru girl finished with 72 and a 3-under total.Tvesa Malik was the third Indian in the top-10 at 7th place.Final score: -11 Pornanong Phatlum (Tha) 72-71-69-65; -7 Vani Kapoor (India) 73-69-69-70; -4 Shannon Tan (Sin) 68-77-67-72; -3 Sára Kousková (Cze) 70-70-73-72; Pranavi Urs (India) 70-70-73-72; Select a score: -1 (7th) Tvesa Malik 71-73-71-72; +2 (T9) Chiara Tamburlini (Sui); +6 (22) Avani Prashanth.