By Admin 
Shannon Tan had walked away after finishing an impressive final day one shot adrift of leader Alice Hewson believing she would have to settle for second spot for the second year in a row. She walked back to the 18th green to lift the 2025 Hero Women’s Indian Open after dramatic final moments of play that saw Hewson double-bogey the final putt and cede the trophy.
Singapore’s Tan also leapfrogged into top spot on the Ladies European Tour’s Order of Merit with this win, as Mimi Rhodes slipped to second spot after a disappointing tied-15th finish here.
The final hole slip-up was the only false step by England’s Hewson who, till then, had had a near-perfect day. Home favourite Hitaashee Bakshi slipped away early after a horrendous front nine that had four bogeys and a double bogey to end any hopes of an Indian winner.
However, it was a fruitful week for Indians overall, with three in the top-five and six in the top-10 for the first time ever.
Hitaashee, who began the day with a three-shot lead at the top, appeared to swing between attacking the course and playing too safe and ended up being in no-man’s land for a four-over 40 going out after the first nine holes. The brief break before moving to the back nine helped her settle her nerves, but by then, Hewson had taken control with a steady hand.
Having stayed within striking distance through the week, Tan only had to stick to her game without trying too hard. With a bogey each till the 17th hole, she and Hewson stayed close, the former closing the gap gradually with four birdies to Hewson’s two on the back nine. It all came down to the final stroke and Hewson, needing only a four-feet putt to win, faltered.
“I’m still quite in shock. When I was coming on the 18th, I knew I needed to make a birdie to force a play-off. And then, when I walked in to hand over the scoring, someone said, you’re still in the race for this. So I came out and yeah, I think I’m still in shock right now,” Tan admitted.
The results: 281: Shannon Tan (Sin, 68-73-73-67); 282: Alice Hewson (Eng, 69-72-69-72); 283: Hitaashee Bakshi (70-67-70-76); 284: Pranavi Urs (72-67-73-72); 285: Kelsey Bennett (Aus, 71-71-72-71), Avani Prashanth (73-71-70-71); 286: Anna Foster (Irl, 75-75-67-69); 287: Leonie Harm (Ger, 74-71-71-71); 288: Lisa Pettersson (Swe, 71-69-74-74).