In a remarkable comeback, Neha Tripathi, who had endured more than four and a half years without a win, defied the odds by clinching victory twice in just three starts on the Women’s Pro Golf Tour (WPGT) last Friday. This extraordinary feat not only marked her resurgence but also set the stage for an exciting climax to the season.
The Golf Federation of Haryana recently concluded its Amateur and Junior Event at the Golden Greens Golf Club, marking the third amateur and second junior event of the season. The tournament showcased promising young golfers and their exceptional skills.
Anup Singh, a seasoned golfer, and certified coach made history on Tuesday by clinching a remarkable world record at the renowned Karma Lakelands estate in Gurugram. Singh, who boasts a rich history in golf, set an extraordinary benchmark by achieving “the farthest distance travelled while controlling a golf ball.”
The Golf Federation of Haryana has once again showcased its commitment to nurturing emerging golfing talent by successfully organizing its second amateur event of the year.
Golf Haryana, the official body for golf in the state, marked a historic milestone with the successful launch of their inaugural event, the Golf Haryana Golden Greens Amateur and Junior Tournaments, held from August 17 to 20, 2023, at the prestigious Golden Greens Golf Club in Gurugram, Haryana.
In a remarkable display of talent, India’s Diksha Dagar carded a remarkable 5-under 67 to secure a commendable T-6 finish at the prestigious ISPS Handa World Invitational Golf Tournament. The event, boasting a USD 1.5 million prize fund, is co-sanctioned by LET, LPGA, and the DP World Tour.
Gurugram’s rising golf star, Sunhit Bishnoi, stunned on the final day of the inaugural India Cements Pro Championship with a remarkable eight-under 64, securing an impressive victory.
The 22-year-old, in only his second season as a professional, clinched his maiden title at the TNGF Cosmo Golf Course, Chennai. Bishnoi’s consistent performance throughout the event led to a total score of 20-under 268, securing a commanding nine-stroke lead and earning him the wire-to-wire victory.
With a brilliant round of 64 in the last leg of the championship, Bishnoi matched the tournament’s lowest score set by Divyanshu Bajaj on day three. The achievement underscored Bishnoi’s exceptional talent and resilience on the greens.
Jamal Hossain of Bangladesh secured the second position with a score of 11-under 277, although he remained a considerable distance behind the dominant Bishnoi. Bengaluru’s Trishul Chinnappa, who surged 23 spots with an outstanding round of 65 on the final day, shared the third place at 10-under 278 along with Abhijit Singh Chadha of Chandigarh and Kolkata’s Divyanshu Bajaj, who posted scores of 70 and 72 respectively.
Sunhit Bishnoi’s tournament mastery was evident as he led throughout the first three rounds and maintained his stronghold on the leaderboard in the fourth round as well. Starting the final day as a joint leader alongside Akshay Sharma, Bishnoi swiftly seized control with an eagle on the par-5 second hole, landing his second shot within 10 feet of the pin. His precision shots and strategic play propelled him to tap-ins on the third and fourth holes, with a remarkable chip-in on the fifth.
Although a slight setback came in the form of a bogey on the eighth hole, Bishnoi quickly regained his momentum, netting birdies on the 10th, 12th, and 13th holes. Notably, he impressively drove the par-4 10th green and secured yet another chip-in on the 12th. Bishnoi, the recipient of the 2022 National Games bronze medal for Haryana, concluded his victorious journey with a final birdie on the 18th hole.
Sunhit Bishnoi’s triumph marks the ninth different winner from the events on the PGTI this year. He secured a winning prize of Rs. 7,50,000, and his victory propelled him from the 25th spot to an impressive ninth position on the TATA Steel PGTI Rankings. His meteoric rise and undeniable talent have undoubtedly marked him as a rising star in the world of golf.
As the inaugural India Cements Pro Championship comes to a close, Sunhit Bishnoi’s remarkable victory adds a new chapter to the golfing landscape, leaving enthusiasts eagerly anticipating his future performances and accomplishments.
Diksha Dagar demonstrated an unprecedented performance for an Indian female golfer in a major tournament, concluding her journey at the Women’s British Open tied for the 21st spot.
Diksha, a two-time champion on the Ladies European Tour (LET), showcased remarkable prowess during the second round’s back nine, securing her first-ever cut in a major just a couple of days earlier. She concluded the week with yet another impressive display on the back nine, rebounding from a 2-over score on the front to finish the back nine at 3-under, ultimately achieving a 1-under scorecard. Across four days, her rounds totaled 74-71-72-71, summing up to an even par 288.
In the case of Aditi, participating in her seventh Women’s Open, her performance saw a setback with consecutive rounds of 75, causing her to slide to a T-40 position. Although she stood at T-9 halfway through the tournament, her performance declined over the weekend. The victor of the event, Lilia Vu from the US, outshone the competition by a margin of six shots, claiming her second Major title this year. With rounds of 72-68-67-67, she attained a cumulative score of 14-under throughout the week. Notably, England’s Charley Hull, previously tied for the lead after 54 holes, faced difficulties with her putter and concluded with a score of 73.
Diksha’s performance, achieving a tied-21st placement, marked a significant milestone for an Indian woman in a major, surpassing Aditi’s tied-22nd accomplishment at the 2018 Women’s Open. In 1998, Smriti Mehra secured a tied-sixth position at the Women’s British Open, which was not then recognized as a major, whereas it earned major status only in 2001.
This was Diksha’s fourth appearance at the Women’s Open, and it marked her first successful cut after failing to do so in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Notably, her earnings of $84,162 from this event stood as her highest professional purse, propelling her back into the top-5 of the Ladies European Tour’s Race to Costa Del Sol rankings, where Aditi holds the third position.
While situated at a tied-35 position post the third round, Diksha encountered setbacks on the front nine with bogeys on the fourth and sixth holes, resulting in a 2-over performance. However, she rebounded on the back nine, achieving birdies on the 12th, 15th, and 17th holes, showcasing a resilient comeback.
In a year’s time, golf enthusiasts from around the world will witness a historic event as 120 of the best golfers, comprising 60 men and 60 women, gather at the renowned Le Golf National to compete in the much-anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Young golf prodigy, Akshay Bhatia, achieved a stunning victory at the Barracuda Championship, defeating Patrick Rodgers in an exhilarating playoff on the first hole.