Amateur Ojaswini Saraswat heralds a new era in Indian women’s golf at Hero Women's Indian Open

Gurugram, October 23: This week at the Hero Women’s Indian Open (HWIO) was supposed to be an exposure trip for the 13-year-old amateur Ojaswini Saraswat, but it has turned into a major career highlight.

The former runner-up at the US Kids World Championship in Pinehurst in 2024 and a silver medallist at the 2024 US Kids European Championship, Ojaswini has now become the youngest Indian ever and the second youngest player ever to make the cut at a Ladies European Tour event.

Ojaswini, who was part of the junior camps organised by the Women’s Golf Association of India ahead of the 2018 HWIO, got into the field as one of the leading Indians players available from the World Amateur Golf Rankings. She shot 79-69 to make the cut at 4-over and was T-26 after 36 holes.

Ojaswini, still in her early teens, has already received great exposure in her journey across the globe, so much so that the junior golfer was quite aware of what this week could mean for her young career.

After opening the 2026 HWIO with a 7-over 79, Ojaswini knew her mind had to have a clean slate if she was to make something meaningful of what remained of her debut at this tournament, which is also her maiden outing in a Ladies European Tour (LET) event.

She did just that with a round of 69 with seven birdies against four bogeys. The amazing feature of her round was that she birdied each of the four Par-3s and was even par through 15 holes. She then birdied the last three holes on the trot for a 69 and became the youngest Indian to get into the weekend of a LET pro event.

That has now ensured she continues with her learning curve by playing with some of the world’s best pros over the weekend.

Previously, Aditi Ashok was 14 when she was taking part in the 2012 edition of HWIO. Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand was 12 when she made the cut at the 2008 Finnair Masters.

Watching last year’s action at HWIO inspired Ojaswini to aspire to play at the event, and that became a reality for Ojaswini this time.

“After Thursday’s round, I just wanted to play well because I knew where I had made mistakes. I’ve had a lot of support from my parents, brother, and sponsors, and I’m excited,” said Ojaswini, who hails from Jaipur.

About her early start in golf, Ojaswini, now an 8th-grade student, said, “I started golf when I was four. I used to go to the Mohali Golf Range. It was just in front of my house, so I thought, ‘Let’s give golf a try.’ Now she trains in Jaipur’s Rambagh Golf Club.

“I wanted to make some birdies, because it was important. After I shot seven-over, I knew the cut would be around there. I wanted to make up for that score,” said Ojaswini, who is now 4-over for the tournament and well set for the weekend.

As for the cut, it is expected to be around 9-over and Ojaswini is well placed on the leaderboard, which is headed by Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland at 6-under, with India’s own Asian Games gold medallist Pranavi Urs and Argentine Magdalena Simmermacher, tied second at 4-under.

With two rounds remaining, the HWIO could be the ideal platform for Ojaswini to set and attain new goals.