GURUGRAM: Four days after turning 42, Liz Young celebrated it by finally winning the Hero Women's Indian Open on her ninth visit to India.
Young showed great mental strength and played one of the steadiest rounds when it mattered the most. With just one birdie and one bogey, which came after a trip into the water on the 18th, Young carded 72 after 74-73-67 on the first three days to finish at 2-under total at the demanding DLF Golf and Country Club. It was the second lowest winning score since the event joined the Ladies European Tour. The lowest winning score is even par by Denmark's Emily Kristen Pedersen in 2015.
Four players, Singapore's Shannon Tan, France's Agathe Sauzon, Kiwi Momoka Kobori and Belgium's Manon De Roey tied for second at 1-under. For India, the standout performance came via the talented amateur Mannat Brar, who closed the week with her best round of the week at 2-under 70 despite an early double bogey.
She finished just outside the Top-10 at Tied-11th and improved each day with cards of 76-75-71-70 for a 4-over total. "The last two days were a mix for me," said Mannat. "I wasn't at my best with the irons, but my short game made up for it.
"I've had a strong amateur career so far, being ranked as India's top player for quite a while. This event was a big highlight and I'm genuinely proud and grateful."
Pranavi Urs (72) and Hitaashee Bakshi were T-15th and the best Indian professionals in a week where nine Indians made the cut.
Young, who has never missed the cut in nine visits to India, stayed calm as her playing partner rivals, Alice Hewson (79) first and then Manon De Roey (74) stuttered and faltered. Young received the winner's cheque for $60,000 from Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp. Smiling, she said, "It will be a double birthday celebration, as my daughter's birthday is in two weeks. I've enjoyed the week."
