Gurgaon: Europe’s latest superstar, Caroline Hedwall, who is having a dream season in her Rookie year is all set to tee off in India at the Hero Women’s Indian Open. Already a winner of three titles this year, she is seeking a fourth to cap an amazing season.
In addition she was also part of the Solheim Cup winning team for Europe.
The 23-year-old Swedish Rookie is seeking to win the Indian Open and improve her position from the current third. She may find it tough to bridge the lead of just under Euros 130,000 that Japan’s Ai Miyazoto holds over her, but she could still claim the European Rolex Rookie of the Year award.
The last person to win the Henderson Money List and Rookie of the year award was none other than Laura Davies in 1985. Davies will be back in India to defend her title.
Hedwall, who made the Solheim Cup team in her very first year, recently said, “It's been a fantastic year so far and I'm very satisfied with it.”
"I'm playing only two more events in India and Dubai so it's pretty tough to overtake Ai, but it has been a good season.”
Hedwall has had impressive victories at the Ladies Slovak Open, Finnair Masters and UNIQA Ladies Golf Open in Austria and that has already assured the 22-year-old of the Rolex Rookie of the Year Award, but if the script holds good, she could be in contention for the 'Player of the Year' title, as well, which is voted for by the LET members.
Though Miyazato may take the Henderson Money List title, Hedwall will earn a 10-year exemption to play on the Ladies European Tour if she can finish second as players who have not competed in six events throughout the year are removed and which determines playing categories for the following season.
Currently Melissa Reid is second and she is skipping the Hero Women's Indian Open and has only entered the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. So a win for Hedwall, who is just under Euros 46,000 behind, and a good finish in Dubai could be a big boost.
The stellar field for Hero Women’s Indian open is headlined by the legendary Laura Davies, who despite the late arrival of her golf bag, won the 2010 Hero Women’s Indian open and boasts of more than 80 international titles, including four Majors. Also in the field is the 37-year-old Sophie Gustafson, a four-time Money List champion, and winner of 29 titles internationally, including five on the LPGA and 14 on the LET.
South African Lee-Ann Pace, 30, and winner of five titles and the Henderson Money List title, is back for a second taste of Hero Women’s Indian Open. The field also includes the flamboyant Christina Kim of the United States, who has played on the LPGA Tour also. She joined the LET IN 2011 and immediately won the Sicilian ladies Italian Open.
Other prominent players in the field are 2008 Indian Masters winner, Gwladys Nocera (Swe), former LPGA player, Jennifer Rosales (Phi), Phatlum Pornanong (Tha), winner of 2008 and 2009 Indian Open.
