Vani Kapoor Finishes Runner-Up as Pornanong Phatlum Wins Fourth Hero Women’s Indian Open Title

India’s Vani Kapoor closed with a seven-under-par total to secure second place at the Ladies European Tour event in Gurugram, while Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum produced a final-round 65 to claim the title at DLF Golf and Country Club.

Vani Kapoor came close to delivering a landmark home victory but ultimately finished runner-up at the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2026, as Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum produced a decisive final-round performance to win the title on Sunday.

Kapoor finished the four-round tournament at seven-under-par 281, three shots behind Phatlum, who ended at 10-under-par 278 after firing a five-under-par 65 in the final round. The victory marked Phatlum’s fourth title at the tournament, reaffirming her remarkable record at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram.

For Kapoor, the second-place finish was a significant achievement, even as the opportunity to win on home soil slipped away. She had put herself in contention on Saturday and carried that momentum into the final round, raising hopes of an Indian champion at the USD 500,000 Ladies European Tour event.

The final day developed into a contest between Kapoor and Phatlum, with both players producing an aggressive start. Kapoor had established a strong position early in the round, but Phatlum responded with a sequence of birdies to bring herself level with the Indian.

Both golfers reportedly made five birdies on the front nine, but Kapoor also dropped a shot during that stretch. Phatlum’s ability to maintain her momentum proved crucial as the contest intensified. The Thai golfer eventually pulled clear with a superb round of 65, finishing three shots ahead of Kapoor. Her final-round performance turned a tightly contested title race into a comfortable winning margin on the leaderboard.

Phatlum’s triumph also carried a historical dimension. Four years after her previous victory at the event, she returned to the winner’s circle in India to claim the title for a fourth time. Her familiarity with the course and ability to deliver under pressure once again proved valuable.

Kapoor, meanwhile, was left to reflect on a missed opportunity rather than a disappointing tournament. Her performance across four rounds placed her among the leading contenders in a strong international field.

Kapoor proud despite missing out

After finishing second, Kapoor said she had given everything she could during the final round and was satisfied with how she handled the pressure. “I gave it my all, I don't think I could have done any better. I am really proud of myself that I did not come under pressure and had a great start, my plan was to go aggressive and try to put some pressure, but Phatlum played excellently well,” Kapoor said.

She described the contest as one in which both players kept pushing each other, adding that Phatlum had ultimately been the better golfer on the day. “Both of us kept pushing each other and we tried to get the best out of each other. Ultimately, she was the better golfer today, so congratulations to her,” she added.

Kapoor’s assessment reflected the narrow margins that separated the two players during the early stages of the final round. Her aggressive approach gave her a chance to challenge for the title, but Phatlum’s finishing performance proved decisive.

A victory would have been a major milestone for Indian women’s golf. Kapoor would have become only the third Indian to win a Ladies European Tour title and the second to claim one on home soil, following Aditi Ashok. Instead, she had to settle for second place, finishing three shots behind the champion.

Kapoor was not the only Indian to produce a strong result at the tournament. Asian Games gold medallist Pranavi Urs finished tied fourth at three-under-par 285, while Tvesa Malik secured seventh place at one-under-par 287.

The three results gave India three players inside the top eight at its flagship international women’s golf event. Their performances offered encouragement for the domestic contingent, even though the wait for an Indian winner at the Hero Women’s Indian Open continued.

Singapore’s Shannon Tan finished third at four-under-par 284, one shot ahead of the group tied for fourth. Czech golfer Sara Kouskova joined Pranavi Urs in fourth place at three-under-par. The leaderboard highlighted the depth of competition, with players from several countries finishing under par over the four rounds.

The final result leaves Kapoor with a second-place finish to build on after coming within reach of a historic victory. Her ability to remain competitive against Phatlum throughout the final day was a positive sign, even as the Thai golfer delivered the stronger finish.

For Phatlum, the fourth Hero Women’s Indian Open title added another chapter to her history at the Gurugram venue. For Indian golf, Kapoor, Urs and Malik provided three top-eight finishes, demonstrating the presence of a competitive domestic group.

The home crowd’s hopes of celebrating an Indian champion will have to wait, but Kapoor’s seven-under-par performance was a notable result in its own right. She could not stop Phatlum’s charge, yet she left the tournament with a runner-up finish earned against a champion who delivered when the title was at stake.