Defending champion Shannon Tan of Singapore and Asian Games gold medallist Pranavi Urs of India are set to compete head-to-head at the 18th edition of the Hero Women’s Indian Open (HWIO), scheduled from October 22 to 25, 2026, at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram, Haryana.
At the recent Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Pranavi secured a historic gold medal for India, while Shannon took home the bronze. Tan remains the defending champion of the HWIO, having won the title in 2025, and Urs aims to become the first Indian golfer to win the tournament since Aditi Ashok’s victory in 2016.
The tournament features one of the strongest fields ever assembled at the HWIO, including four past HWIO champions with six titles among them: Shannon Tan (2025), Liz Young (2024), Camille Chevalier (2017), and Pornanong Phatlum (2008, 2009, 2012), who returns after a 14-year absence. Additionally, three former Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit winners are competing – Tan (2025), Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini (2024), and Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab (2023).
Among the field are four current LET season winners: England’s Eleanor Givens (VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open), Thai golfer Aunchisa Utama (Dutch Ladies Open), Germany’s Leonie Harm (Amundi German Masters), and France’s Agathe Laisne9 (Joburg Ladies Open and Ford Women’s NSW Open).
The Indian contingent, led by Pranavi Urs, also comprises two-time LET winner Diksha Dagar, a member of India’s silver-winning women’s team at the Asian Games; Hitaashee Bakshi, who finished third at last year’s HWIO; Avani Prashanth, who tied for fifth last year; as well as experienced players Tvesa Malik, Vani Kapoor, and Amandeep Drall.
Shannon Tan, the 2025 LET Order of Merit champion, arrives in Gurugram aiming to defend her title. The 22-year-old from Singapore has a strong record at the DLF Golf and Country Club, including a runner-up finish in her HWIO debut in 2024. She emphasises routine and focus, stating, “I have been looking forward to this event pretty much all year, but I will approach it as I would any other event – focus on my processes and routines, and go about things as I would on a normal day.”
Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum returns to compete after 14 years and is a three-time HWIO champion. Her initial victory in 2008 at the HWIO propelled her onto the LPGA Tour, where she built a prominent career. Phatlum defended her title in 2009 and secured her third HWIO win in 2012. Despite a busy LPGA schedule, she has consistently returned to the HWIO, reflecting its significance in her career.
Liz Young of England, the 2024 HWIO champion, is also aiming for a third LET title. After a narrow victory over Shannon Tan last year, she hopes to build on her form at the DLF Golf and Country Club, noting, “DLF is one of the few courses you have to think carefully about every shot, put yourself in the right position and avoid getting too greedy. I have great memories and I will stick to my game plan. It worked two years ago, so we will give it another shot this week.”
The tournament features a prize purse of US$500,000 and a field of 114 players representing 32 nationalities, including 31 Indian players, four of whom are amateurs. Twenty-one competitors are LET winners.
Notable groups for the opening round on October 22 include:
- 7:00 am: Pranavi Urs (IND), Shannon Tan (SIN), Camille Chevalier (FRA)
- 11:10 am: Maha Haddioui (MAR), Trichat Cheenglab (THA), Sara Kouskova (CZE)
- 11:20 am: Diksha Dagar (IND), Agathe Laisne9 (FRA), Anna Morgan (USA)
- 11:40 am: Anna Zanusso (ITA), Pornanong Phatlum (THA), Liz Young (ENG)
- 11:50 am: Eleanor Givens (ENG), Hitaashee Bakshi (IND), Leonie Harm (GER)
- 12:00 pm: Chiara Tamburlini (SUI), Ridhima Dilawari (IND), Jess Baker (ENG)