Hitaashee Bakshi returns for WPGT Leg 9 at Hosur to face Vani, Ridhima
Synopsis
Hitaashee Bakshi's mid-season return from the Ladies European Tour to the WPGT is more than a homecoming — it's a reset. With Ridhima Dilawari on a three-win tear and youngsters routinely upsetting the established order, the ₹17 lakh Leg 9 at Hosur is shaping up as the season's most competitive field yet.
Key Takeaways
Hitaashee Bakshi makes her first domestic start of the season at WPGT Leg 9 , held at Clover Greens, Hosur, Tamil Nadu on 7 July .
The field features 58 players , including 10 amateurs , competing for a prize purse of ₹17 lakh .
Ridhima Dilawari leads the Hero Order of Merit with 3 wins from 8 legs this season.
Ridhima won Leg 6 at Jaypee Wishtown Golf Course after recovering from a five-shot deficit in the final round.
Young players including Anvitha Narender and Mannat Brar have already claimed wins this season, underlining the growing depth in Indian women's golf.
Hitaashee Bakshi makes her first domestic appearance of the season at Leg 9 of the Women's Professional Golf Tour (WPGT), teeing off at Clover Greens, Hosur in Tamil Nadu on 7 July. The former Ladies European Tour campaigner returns to the home circuit seeking to rediscover the form that established her among Indian golf's leading names.
A Competitive Field at Clover Greens
The Leg 9 field comprises 58 players, including 10 amateurs, with a prize purse of ₹17 lakh. Hitaashee will compete against established names such as Vani Kapoor, Ridhima Dilawari, and Amandeep Drall, alongside a rising generation of young talent including Anvitha Narender, Mannat Brar, Riya, Lavanya Jadon, and amateur Mahreen Bhatia.
The WPGT field has consistently drawn over 50 players in recent legs, reflecting the growing depth of women's professional golf in India. The younger contingent has not merely made up the numbers — they have been winning, making life difficult even for the established stars.
Ridhima Dilawari Leads the Order of Merit
Ridhima Dilawari heads the Hero Order of Merit this season, with Jasmine Shekar and Amandeep Drall trailing her in second and third places respectively. Of the eight legs completed so far, Ridhima has been the standout performer with three wins, while Jasmine Shekar, Tvesa Malik, amateur Lavanya Gupta, Anvitha Narender, and Mannat Brar have each claimed one victory.
Ridhima's Leg 6 Comeback in Focus
Ridhima's most recent win at Leg 6 — held at the Jaypee Wishtown Golf Course — illustrated both her resilience and her rivals' vulnerability. Starting the final round three shots behind Jasmine Shekar, Ridhima fell five back after back-to-back bogeys on the opening two holes of the Par-71 layout.
She then mounted a disciplined recovery, carding two birdies and no further bogeys across the remaining 16 holes. Jasmine, meanwhile, posted a 4-over 75, and the two were level at even par standing on the 18th tee. Ridhima parred; Jasmine bogeyed — handing Ridhima her third win in five events. The victory extended her lead atop the Order of Merit. For Jasmine, who had won Leg 1 this season, it was a second consecutive runner-up finish.
What Hitaashee's Return Signals
Hitaashee's decision to step away from the Ladies European Tour mid-season and return to the domestic circuit is a pragmatic one. The WPGT offers competitive match practice in familiar conditions, and a strong run through the remaining legs could rebuild both confidence and ranking points ahead of future international commitments.
With the season entering its final stretch, all eyes will be on whether Ridhima can maintain her dominance — or whether Hitaashee and the other challengers can close the gap at Hosur.
Point of View
However, is no longer the soft landing it once might have been — Ridhima's three-win dominance and the consistent emergence of amateurs and young pros mean the domestic circuit now offers genuine competitive pressure. The real story of Leg 9 is not just who wins, but whether the generation divide in Indian women's golf is narrowing fast enough to matter on the international stage.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WPGT Leg 9 and where is it being held?
WPGT Leg 9 is the ninth event of the 2025 Women's Professional Golf Tour season, held at Clover Greens in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The field includes 58 players competing for a prize purse of ₹17 lakh.
Why has Hitaashee Bakshi returned to the domestic tour?
Hitaashee Bakshi has been competing on the Ladies European Tour but returned to the WPGT for Leg 9 to regain form. This is her first domestic start of the 2025 season.
Who leads the WPGT Hero Order of Merit in 2025?
Ridhima Dilawari leads the Hero Order of Merit with three wins from eight legs this season. Jasmine Shekar is second and Amandeep Drall is third.
How did Ridhima Dilawari win WPGT Leg 6?
Ridhima Dilawari came from five shots down in the final round at Jaypee Wishtown Golf Course, carding two birdies and no bogeys over the final 16 holes. She and Jasmine Shekar were tied heading into the 18th, where Ridhima parred and Jasmine bogeyed to hand Ridhima the win.
Which young players are competing at WPGT Leg 9?
Young players including Anvitha Narender, Mannat Brar, Riya, Lavanya Jadon, and amateur Mahreen Bhatia are part of the Leg 9 field. Both Anvitha and Mannat have already won individual legs in the 2025 season.
