Hero Women's Indian Open: Mannat Sign Off As Top Amateur And Best-placed Indian, Young Claims Title

Mannat Brar shone brightly, finishing as top amateur and best-placed Indian in a tie for 11th, even as England's Liz Young celebrated her belated birthday by winning Hero Women’s Indian Open by one stroke here on Sunday.

Brar carded an impressive two-under 70 in final round, concluding tournament with a total of four-over 292 at DLF Golf and Country Club.

Professionals Pranavi Urs and Hitaashee Bakshi followed closely, tied for 15th at two strokes behind.

Tvesa Malik finished T26 at nine-over 297, while Ridhima Dilawari and Vani Kapoor shared 31st place at ten-over 298.

" last two days were a mix for me,” Mannat said.

“I wasn’t at my best with irons, but my short game me up for it. Today and yesterday, though, I really started hitting my irons well and h a great feel for greens. I could re slopes and use m to my vantage, which helped me perform well over four days.

"I’ve h a strong amateur career so far, being ranked as India’s top player for quite a while. I’ve represented India internationally, and this event was anor highlight—I’m genuinely proud and grateful to be in this position.” For Liz Young, win marked only her second title on Lies European Tour. Having never missed cut in her previous eight appearances, Young extended that streak to nine, shooting 72 to total 2-under 286 and win by one shot over four players who tied for second.

Young, who turned 42 on October 23, totalled 2 under par 286 to d her name to a list of British winners of Hero Women’s Indian Open that includes England’s Dame Laura Davies (2010) and Becky Morgan (2018) of Wales who are also two past champions older than 2024 winner.

Young’s only or title on Lies European Tour came at VP Bank Swiss Lies Open after 13 winless years on tour since turning professional in 2009.

USD 400,000 event was her 248th start on LET. A third place at Dutch Lies Open in July was her previous best finish of season.

Young (74-73-67-72) fought off all challenges from Manon De Roey (74-74-65-74) of Belgium and compatriot Alice Hewson (72-70-71-79) and a host of ors, including Morocco’s Maha Hdioui (71-77-71-69).

At 18th tee, Young was a shot ahe of De Roey with Hewson having fallen off pace and De Roey being her main challenger. Young found water and bogeyed, but De Roey was unable to make par to force a play-off.

Hewson finished with a triple-bogey eight to fall out of top 10.

De Roey with bogeys on 17 and 18 fell into shared second with Singapore’s Shannon Tan, Frenchwoman Aga Sauzon and Momoka Kobori of New Zealand at 1-under 287.

Only five players broke par for ir final score in a week when course tested player to fullest.

"I think it will take a couple of days to sink in but it was a close battle all day," said a beaming Young, who received winner’s cheque of USD 60,000.

"Me and Manon are good friends. She was playing well all day and I just happened to hole a good birdie putt on 15 that tied us up and I managed to make it interesting on last for everybody.” Young expressed her satisfaction with overcoming tough challenges course presented throughout week.

" week has been great. It's been a really tough challenge mentally and physically. Especially today, it was really hot out re and humid. Every shot out re, you've got to think your way around. Every putt, you can't let up on but I feel I did a good job with it this week.

France's Perrine Delacour posted day’s only bogey-free round with a 5-under 67, featuring three birdies and an eagle on par-5 15, finishing in a share of sixth place.