Chiara Tamburlini Leads at Women's Indian Open Amidst Strong Competition

The Women's Indian Open commenced with Chiara Tamburlini taking the lead after an impressive round of 67. Defending champion Shannon Tan and India's Pranavi Urs are in close contention, showcasing strong performances. The camaraderie between Shannon and Pranavi, stemming from their competitive history, adds an intriguing layer to the tournament. As the players navigate the challenging DLF Golf and Country Club, the excitement builds for the upcoming rounds. With more opportunities for thrilling golf ahead, fans are eager to see how the competition unfolds.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 23, 2026, 00:22 IST

Exciting Start at the Women's Indian Open

Gurugram (Haryana) [India], October 22: The Women's Indian Open kicked off at the DLF Golf and Country Club, with Chiara Tamburlini making headlines by taking the lead late in the day. However, another story also captured attention, highlighting the camaraderie between defending champion Shannon Tan from Singapore and India's Asian Games gold medalist Pranavi Urs.

Typically, the DLF Golf and Country Club presents unpredictable challenges, but Day One of this 18th edition saw both Shannon and Pranavi performing exceptionally well.

As the 2025 Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit champion, Shannon has significant expectations as she aims for a second title in Gurugram. Despite the pressure, the 22-year-old showcased her skills with an impressive 4-under 68, placing her in a tie for second alongside Argentina's Magdalena Simmermacher, just one stroke behind the clubhouse leader, Chiara Tamburlini, who finished at 5-under 67.

Andrea Lignell from Sweden was on the 18th fairway when play was halted due to darkness at 5:57 pm.

Pranavi and Avani Prashanth are the top Indian players, tied for fifth, three shots off the lead. Pranavi, who played alongside Shannon in the morning, managed a two-under 70 despite battling a stomach bug that hindered her performance.

"The ailment is tough on this challenging course, but I managed to hold it together and play well," Pranavi remarked in a press release.

Shannon's supportive words provided encouragement to Pranavi, which she appreciated.

*Strengthening Bonds Through Competition

Much has been discussed regarding their fierce competition at the Asian Games, yet there was no hostility during their intense battle in Japan. Pranavi emerged victorious, while Shannon secured a bronze medal in Aichi-Nagoya. A refreshing moment occurred when Shannon expressed her desire for Pranavi to win if she couldn't, and Pranavi reciprocated by being present for Shannon's first victory at the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open.

With their current form and the start of the Hero Women’s Indian Open, more opportunities for them to compete together are anticipated, along with more stories of their friendship that began over a decade ago as junior golfers.

Shannon evenly spaced her birdies and had little to complain about, despite missing a few putts. She plans to work on her wedges at the driving range to prepare for the next round.

*Maintaining Composure on the Course

Finding oneself in difficult positions can be disheartening, but Magdalena Simmermacher has learned to remain calm through her experiences at the DLF Golf and Country Club. After hitting the water on the 18th with her third shot, she faced a potential bogey. "How are you going to make par?" she questioned herself. The key was to keep pushing and create opportunities to save par.

Bogeys are common on this course, and while she managed to avoid one on the 18th, she faced a setback on her back-nine Hole 6.

This promising start is crucial for the 30-year-old, who is seeking a long-awaited breakthrough on the LET. She aims to play shot by shot, focusing on navigating the course rather than fixating on the outcome.

The day brought mixed results for other Hero MotoCorp brand ambassadors, with Tvesa Malik finishing tied for ninth with a score of 71, while Diksha Dagar ended up tied for 62nd with a five-over 77.

*A Return to Form

Avani Prashanth's performance contrasted sharply with her inconsistent season on the LET, which was marred by injuries and a demanding schedule that exacerbated her back issues. At one point, she faced the risk of losing her playing rights for the 2027 LET season due to a significant drop in the order of merit.

However, her recent efforts have placed her in a secure position, and this relief was evident in her play on Thursday. "My approach game was the best it has ever been. I was able to attack the flags and hit them close, which I’m really pleased with," Avani stated.

Meanwhile, Chiara Tamburlini demonstrated her exceptional talent. Although her previous performances in India haven't met her high standards, the Swiss 2024 LET order of merit champion added a low round to her record with Thursday's 67. She credited her success to playing "simple golf," which she had been missing.

"I hit several fairways and felt comfortable with my irons. I made a lot of putts, and the putter was definitely key to my low score," she explained.

The second round will commence at 6:40 am on Friday.

Top scores:

-67: Chiara Tamburlini (SUI)

-68: Shannon Tan (SIN), Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG)

-69: Sara Kouskova (CZE)

-70: Pranavi Urs (IND), Lois Lau (FRA), Avani Prashanth (IND), Dorthea Forbrigd (NOR)

-71: Ursula Wikstrom (FIN), April Angurasaranee (THA), Camille Chevalier (FRA), Eleanor Givens (ENG), Emma Spitz (AUT), Tvesa Malik (IND).