Pornanong Phatlum won the 2026 Hero Women’s Indian Open for the fourth time, firing in a sensational score of 65 on the final day.
Phatlum went bogey-free in the final round at DLF Golf & Country Club to leapfrog home favourite Vani Kapoor and secure a four-shot victory on 11 under par.
“I’m so happy right now,” said the 36-year-old, who also won the trophy on the Arnold Palmer course in 2008, 2009 and 2012.
“I didn’t think I was going to win again, but I tried my best. This was a fantastic round for me. Every putt on the front nine dropped in the hole. Today feels incredible.
“I wanted to come back and try my best here again because I have such good memories here – wonderful memories. This is my fourth win here, so it makes me very happy.”
Teeing up in the final group with Kapoor and defending champion Shannon Tan on Sunday, and trailing the Indian by one shot, a match play situation quickly ensued between the two as both players birdied the opening par-4 – Kapoor after chipping in from the back of the green.
The home favourite would birdie the second to open up a two shot lead before Phatlum responded with a fine birdie at the third. This was followed by three more birdies at the fifth, eighth and ninth as the Sunday rivals made the turn all square.
On to the back nine, and Kapoor would squander her lead for the first time in the final round, dropping a stroke at the 10th after her tee shot took at unfortunate kick.
Despite a bounce-back birdie at the 11th, Kapoor handed LPGA star Phatlum the advantage again by dropping shots at the 12th and 13th.
Vani Kapoor had her best finish on the LET.
After a string of pars, birdies followed at the 15th and 16th as Phatlum drained two brilliant putts. Two pars to finish in front of the watching gallery would secure Phatlum a four-shot victory and historic fourth title – 18 years after her first.
Playing at her home course, DLF Golf & Country Club Kapoor came second on seven under, still her best finish on the LET.
“I gave it my best,” said Kapoor, who carded a round of 70 (-2) on Sunday. “Everything went according to plan. I don’t think I could have done anything more. I made a lot of birdies, especially considering the amount of pressure there was.
“I don’t think I would have made so many birdies in a single round before. I made a couple of mistakes too, but that’s part of the game. It’s better to accept it.”
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