The opening leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour (HWPGT) 2026 has provided an early indication of both form and intent, with Jasmine Shekar producing another composed performance to extend her lead at the top of the leaderboard.
A steady even-par 70 in the second round was enough for Shekar to move two shots clear of the chasing pack, underlining her growing maturity and consistency at the highest level of India’s domestic women’s golf circuit.
With a prize purse of ₹17 lakh on offer for the week, the season opener has attracted a strong field of professionals and elite amateurs, and the quality of scoring has reflected the increasing depth of the tour. Shekar, already a winner on the 2025 circuit, has once again positioned herself as a front-runner early in the season, setting the benchmark for others to follow.
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Jasmine Shekar’s second-round effort was defined by discipline rather than flair. She negotiated the course with patience, remaining bogey-free through the first 12 holes, a stretch that included well-earned birdies on the fifth and 11th holes. Those gains helped her consolidate her overnight position at the top and apply subtle pressure on the rest of the field.
The only blemishes on her card came late in the round, with back-to-back bogeys on the 13th and 14th holes. However, Shekar responded calmly, avoiding further damage and closing out the round at even par, a score that proved valuable given the challenges faced by others. In conditions that demanded accuracy and smart course management, Shekar’s ability to limit mistakes has been a defining feature of her week so far.
Already a proven performer on the tour, Shekar’s showing suggests that her confidence from the 2025 season has carried seamlessly into the new year. Holding a two-shot lead after the early rounds places her in a strong position as the tournament moves into its decisive phase.
While Shekar has been steady, Ridhima Dilawari provided the round of the day and injected fresh intrigue into the contest. Starting the day five shots behind the leader, Dilawari produced a superb 3-under 67, the lowest score of the round, to surge up the leaderboard and cut the deficit to just two strokes.
Her card reflected controlled aggression. Dilawari picked up two birdies against one bogey on the front nine, before continuing the momentum on the back nine with three birdies and one bogey. The result was a sharply improved standing and a clear statement that she intends to challenge for the title.
Dilawari’s ability to go low under pressure has been evident in past seasons, and her latest round reinforced her reputation as one of the tour’s most dangerous chasers. With the gap now narrowed, the contest at the top has taken on a compelling edge.
Lavanya Jadon Stays in the Hunt
Lavanya Jadon, one of the most consistent performers on the domestic circuit in recent years, slipped to third place after returning a 72. Her round included two bogeys and no birdies, a rare birdie-less card for a player known for her attacking instincts.
Despite that, Jadon remains very much in contention. At just three shots off the lead, she is well within striking distance heading into the final rounds. Her experience of closing out tournaments and handling pressure situations could yet prove decisive if conditions become more demanding.
One of the standout themes of the opening leg has been the continued impact of amateur golfers. Of the three under-par rounds recorded in the second round, two came from amateurs, highlighting the narrowing gap between elite amateurs and established professionals. Zara Anand carded a 69, while Kashika Misra matched that score with a composed round of her own. Anand, in particular, has been impressive, sitting sole fourth at 2-over 142 after two rounds. Her consistency and calm temperament have allowed her to hold her own in a strong professional field.
Misra’s performance further reinforces the encouraging depth in India’s junior and amateur pipeline. The fact that amateurs are not only making cuts but also featuring prominently on leaderboards speaks volumes about the evolving competitive ecosystem around women’s golf in the country.
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At the end of the second round, 27 players made the cut, which fell at 156. With the field trimmed and the leaderboard tightening, the focus now shifts to execution under pressure. For players hovering within a few shots of the lead, the margins are fine, and a single strong round could dramatically alter the standings.
The Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour 2026 has already shown signs of being a highly competitive season. The early emergence of familiar contenders like Shekar, Dilawari, and Jadon, combined with the fearless play of amateurs, has set a strong tone.
For Jasmine Shekar, the immediate task is clear: maintain composure, minimise errors, and convert her lead into another tour victory. For the chasing pack, the challenge lies in balancing aggression with discipline on a course that has already punished impatience. As the opening leg moves toward its conclusion, the narrative is shaping up around consistency versus momentum.
Whether Shekar’s measured approach holds firm or one of her challengers produces another low round will define not just this week, but potentially the early direction of the 2026 Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour.
