Aline Krauter of Germany, who had a two-shot lead going into the fourth and final round of the USD 400,000 Women’s Indian Open, defeated Swedish rookie and fellow rookie Sara Kjellker early on to win the tournament at the DLF Golf and Country Club. Krauter took first place with rounds of 69-68-68-68 and Kjellker finished in second place with rounds of 73-66-68-71 and 10-under 273 respectively. The champion is also a rookie on the LPGA, along with Krauter and Kjellker, who are both in their first year.
Krauter’s win meant the Hero Women’s Indian Open has a German winner for the second straight year as Olivia Cowan won last year. In between, another German, Marcel Siem won the men’s Hero Indian Open at the same course earlier this year. “I knew Olivia won last year, but I was just told that Marcel Siem won the men’s event, too. So obviously India and this course work for us,” she said with a big laugh.
Diksha Dagar, who could have moved to the top of the Order of Merit with a win or solo second, gave it all with five birdies against two bogeys on the front nine, but on the back nine, the birdie putts did not fall. She had just one birdie and dropped shots on the 10th and 14th to ultimately finish with a card of 70 at 8-under 280 to finish sole third.
