Pranavi Urs’ historic Asian Games gold medal has earned the 23-year-old Indian golfer a Rs 1 crore reward from AM Green IGPL, after she became the first Indian woman to win an individual golf gold at the continental showpiece.
Pranavi’s achievement at the Kasugai Country Club East Course was followed by further recognition from former India captain Kapil Dev, who praised her composure under pressure and said she showed “nerves of steel and tremendous belief” to produce a landmark victory.
The Mysuru golfer finished at 15-under 265 to edge Singapore’s Shannon Xuan Yin Tan and China’s Yin Ruoning, who shared second place at 14-under 266.
Pranavi began the final round with a three-shot advantage but saw her lead disappear after a triple bogey on the par-four third hole. Rather than allowing the setback to derail her challenge, she responded with birdies on the sixth, 10th and 13th holes before closing with an even-par 70 to secure gold.
Kapil, who is president of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), described the achievement as a moment of immense pride for Indian golf.
“Pranavi showed nerves of steel and tremendous belief to win the Gold Medal for India,” Kapil said.
He also praised Pranavi, Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar for combining effectively to secure India’s first medal in the women’s team golf event at the Asian Games.
“Aditi, Diksha and Pranavi combined well as a team to deliver the Silver Medal for India. On behalf of the DP World PGTI and the entire Indian golfing fraternity, I congratulate all of them,” he said.
The Indian trio finished with 14-under 546 to take silver behind China. Aditi produced her best round on Saturday, carding a three-under 67 with six consecutive birdies on the back nine to help India stay on the podium.
The individual triumph ended a 24-year wait for an Asian Games golf gold for India. The country’s previous gold in the discipline came in 2002, when Shiv Kapur won the men’s individual title.
Pranavi’s gold earns Rs 1 crore reward
AM Green IGPL announced a Rs 1 crore reward for Pranavi’s individual gold, while the Indian women’s team of Pranavi, Aditi and Diksha will collectively receive Rs 25 lakh for their silver medal.
The announcement was made by former Union Minister and Hamirpur MP Anurag Singh Thakur at Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi on behalf of AM Green IGPL, its franchisees and partner organisations.
Thakur said Pranavi’s ability to recover from the triple bogey demonstrated the character required to succeed at the highest level.
“India waited 24 years for a golf gold at the Asian Games, and Pranavi got it for us today. The way she won it says a lot about her. She lost her lead on one hole in the final round and still came back to win, when most players would have folded,” he said.
Thakur also highlighted the need for a stronger development pathway for young Indian golfers, particularly at the stage when they transition from school into higher education or professional careers.
“To produce more golfers like Pranavi, we need to address the gap that emerges after school,” he said, adding that India needed greater investment and more platforms to build a sustainable golfing ecosystem.
Leander Paes praises Pranavi’s response under pressure
Former tennis star and Olympic bronze medallist Leander Paes also lauded Pranavi’s ability to recover from her difficult start in the final round.
Paes said the golfer’s response to the triple bogey reflected years of preparation and mental resilience.
“What I liked most about Pranavi was her final round. A triple bogey that early on the last day of an Asian Games can finish you off, but she stayed patient and played her way back. You don’t learn that overnight. It comes from years of work that nobody sees,” he said.
Pranavi’s sister, Vidharti Urs, who was also present during the IGPL Pro-Am, described her as an aggressive player who has always backed her ability to attack the course.
The historic performance has further raised the profile of women’s golf in India, with Pranavi’s individual gold and the team’s silver marking the country’s best Asian Games campaign in the sport in more than two decades.
AM Green IGPL, which has been working to strengthen the profile and competitive ecosystem for Indian golfers, will next move its second season to Hyderabad, with the tournament scheduled from October 7 to 9.