It is not always cricket that makes Indians go wild. Even the gentleman’s game, golf, can do just that, and Hero Women’s Indian Open 2023, held at the Gray Player-designed DLF Golf Course, proved this theory. 

The last two rounds presented fans with an emotional roller coaster. When the crowd’s dearest Diksha Dagar lost her foot during the third round, they lost their smiles. As soon as she started making a coming back on the last day with birdies after birdies in the front nine, the DLF Golf Club in Delhi began to roar. 

From her courageous approach on the monstrous 17th hole to receiving keys to her brand new Hero Pleasure+ Xtec as the Best Indian Player with an exceptional 8-under and finishing 3rd, Dagar never failed to impress the crowd. 

Photo Courtesy: Ladies European Tour

Diskha Dagar was, indeed, the best attraction of the event. But it was the German Aline Krauter who stole the show. All the professionals and local enthusiasts alike had one thing to say throughout the event, “this golf club is tough.” But not for the 5-foot 3-inch golfer. 

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Not just Dagar but the winner Hero Women’s Indian Open 2023 champion also found a little surprise at the prize distribution

The event offered US $400,00 for the final 60 professionals standing and the ties with a winner’s payout of $60,000. Besides the trophy, Krauter must have expected to get the prize money check handed over to her. But she would have never anticipated the special gift from the World-Renowned Swiss watch manufacturer, the Omega. 

Swedish professional golfer Sara Kjellker received the 36,000 paychecks as she, too, played exceptionally well alongside fellow-rookie Krauter in her group with a total 10-under par score. Avani Prashanth, the Indian amateur, also got a special mention and a plaque to remember her T-5 finish in the top LET pros-filled field. 

Notably, DLF is known to be a tough course. But it has always favored the rookies in many ways. And the 15th edition of the Hero Women’s Indian Open was no different. 

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