15th Hero Women’s Indian Open set to start from October 19th

Leading the Indian challenge, Diksha Dagar's eyes let the order of merit.

The Hero Women’s Indian Open, the flagship Ladies European Tour (LET) event in Asia, is set to return for its 15th edition with a dazzling array of top talent.

Diksha Dagar, currently the highest-ranked Indian in the LET, will spearhead the Indian challenge at the 2023 edition of India’s National Open, featuring a formidable field of 120 players representing more than 25 countries.

Scheduled from October 19 to 22, 2023, the tournament will grace the exquisite DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram, marking a pivotal juncture in the season with just two more events remaining on the calendar.

The Hero Women’s Indian Open 2023 is poised to draw significant attention from players vying for top honors on the Race to Costa Del Sol (the LET's Order of Merit), while several Indian golfers will be looking to secure their full playing rights for the 2024 season.

This year's lineup already boasts an impressive roster, featuring three of the top four players in the LET Order of Merit: No. 2 Ana Pelaez Trivino of Spain, No. 3 Diksha Dagar of India, and No. 4 Trichat Cheenglab of Thailand. Notably, former champions Christine Wolf (2019), Becky Morgan (2018), and Camille Chevalier (2017) are also set to compete.

During the Press Conference, Bharatendu Kabi, Head of Corporate Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Hero MotoCorp, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The Hero Women’s Indian Open has grown significantly over the years and now returns for its 15th edition. This premier tournament has played a pivotal role in promoting women’s golf in India, offering a global stage for emerging talents to showcase their skills."

"It's a pleasure to witness top players from around the world and a strong Indian contingent competing for both the coveted trophy and the Order of Merit for LET at the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2023. We value our partnership with WGAI and commend their dedication to successfully hosting India’s National Open. We extend our best wishes to the players.”

Mrs. Kavita Singh, President of the Women’s Golf Association of India, added, “The past year has witnessed remarkable achievements in Indian women’s golf, with our players excelling on the international stage. It has also been a fantastic year for our domestic tour, the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour. The level of golf displayed has witnessed remarkable improvement, and it won't be long before we see more of our players on the international Tours."

"We acknowledge the unwavering support of Hero MotoCorp Ltd. and Dr. Pawan Munjal, who have stood by the WGAI and the players through challenging times. We extend our gratitude to Hero MotoCorp, DLF Ltd, and our numerous sponsors who have consistently believed in us and supported us over the years. We also thank the Ladies European Tour for their enduring partnership.”

Alexandra Armas, CEO of the Ladies European Tour, commented, “The Hero Women’s Indian Open has become a standout event in the LET calendar, positioned at a crucial juncture in the season as players strive to solidify their positions in the Race to Costa del Sol. Players eagerly anticipate returning to DLF G&CC, renowned for its challenging yet rewarding golf course. We look forward to collaborating with our longstanding partners to ensure another resounding success for all involved.”

Following the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2023, the LET will host two more events: the Aramco Team Series in Riyadh and the Tour Championships, the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de España.

The DLF Golf and Country Club is set to host the event for the 13th time since its inception in 2007, after cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19.

Strong international challenge

Apart from India’s Diksha Dagar, the field includes six other winners from the current season, such as Thai golfer Trichat Cheenglab (Big Green Egg Open in the Netherlands), Denmark’s Smilia Tarning Soenderby (KPMG Women’s Irish Open), Spaniard Nuria Iturrioz (La Sella Open in Spain), Spaniard Carmen Alonso (Ladies Open by Pickala Rock Resort in Finland), Lisa Pettersson (Helsingborg Open in Sweden), and German golfer Patricia Isabel Schmidt (Belgian Ladies Open).

The field is further fortified by entries from at least eight other winners from the 2022 schedule, including Lee Ann Pace of South Africa, Meghan MacLaren of England, Ana Pelaez Trivino, Manon de Roey of Belgium, Jana Melikova of Czech Republic, Anne Charlotte Mora of France, Liz Young of England, and Johanna Gustavsson of Sweden.

Other notable contenders include Magdalena Simmermacher of Argentina, Gabriela Cowley, Felicity Johnson, Rosie Davis, and Hannah Burke of England, Pia Babnik of Slovenia, Becky Brewerton of Wales, Scottish golfers Michelle Thompson, Kelsey Macdonald, Laura Beveridge, and Leonie Harm of Germany.

Opportunities for Indian women golfers

Twenty-two-year-old Diksha, a Hero MotoCorp Brand Ambassador, holds a gold medal from the Deaflympics and represented India at the Tokyo Olympics. She is already among the frontrunners in the race to secure her spot for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

With two LET victories to her name, Diksha's exceptional year includes a triumph at the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open and six other Top-10 finishes. She is well-positioned to contend for the top honors on the LET's Order of Merit, a feat yet to be accomplished by any other Indian female golfer.

The Hero Women’s Indian Open has opened doors for Indian women golfers like Amandeep Drall, the runner-up in 2022, and Vani Kapoor, who has achieved multiple Top-10 finishes in the event. Both have now become regular fixtures on the LET and are eager for strong performances at home to secure their playing rights for 2024.

Similarly, Tvesa Malik, another Hero Brand Ambassador, has recently secured two wins on the domestic Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour. Alongside other winners like Neha Tripathi, Sneha Singh, and Gaurika Bishnoi, they all aim to benefit from the event as they strive towards a successful finish to the season.

Hero MotoCorp and Hero women’s Indian open

Hero MotoCorp, the sponsor of both the men’s and women’s National Open, has been associated with the tournament since its inception and took on the title sponsorship role in 2010, the same year the event joined the esteemed Ladies European Tour.

Hero MotoCorp's unwavering support extends to the entire domestic golf schedule, comprising approximately 15 events at premier golf courses across India. Their consistent backing has paved the way for numerous Indian golfers to compete on the Ladies European Tour and even in the United States.