‘I just like to be the first in everything’: Pranavi Urs sets sights on Olympic medal

Bengaluru: Pranavi Urs has always seemed to have a liking for firsts. In 2025, the Mysuru pro became the first Indian woman to win an open-field professional tournament against male golfers when she triumphed at the IGPL Invitational in Mumbai. Last week in Japan, she added the biggest first of them all, becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual gold at the Asian Games.“I just like to be the first in everything,” Pranavi said during an interaction facilitated by SAI. “I find ways to put myself in situations where no one’s ever been before.” For someone who has repeatedly ventured into uncharted territory, the Asian Games gold was another opportunity to test herself.The three-shot lead she carried into the final round disappeared after a triple bogey on the third hole. But unlike three years ago in Hangzhou, Pranavi knew what it was like to be in a high-pressure situation. More importantly, she had prepared for it.The night before the final round, Pranavi and her psychologist had visualised different scenarios, including what could happen if things went wrong. When the triple bogey arrived, she recognised the situation and reminded herself that she had reached rock bottom.“I was like, you’ve got nothing to lose, you’re at rock bottom now. The worst thing has already happened, so it can’t get worse,” she said.That preparation allowed her to return to the process rather than focus on the outcome. Even on the final hole, when the gold was within touching distance, she was thinking about making sure she secured a medal rather than winning it.She changed from a six-iron to a seven-iron for her second shot after feeling the adrenaline rush. She was so locked into the moment that she did not even realise her final putt was for gold.“I thought it was like, make par and maybe force a playoff,” she said. “Little did I know that the last putt that I hit was putt to win.”Hence, there was no elaborate celebration. She did not know she had won. Now, however, the significance of the gold is beginning to sink in, as is the possibility of what it could lead to.Pranavi’s next first could come on the Ladies European Tour, where she has been knocking on the door of a maiden victory. She believes her game is ready and that it is now a matter of patience.“I’ve come close to winning a couple of times. It just shows that my game is there and it’s just a matter of time,” she said.Closer home, the Women’s Indian Open remains a childhood dream. A win on home soil, she feels, would be special in a way no other victory could match.But Pranavi is already looking beyond those targets. Asked what the next ‘first’ she wants to chase is, she said, “To win an Olympic medal or a Major!”For someone who has already broken barriers at the domestic level and the Asian Games, the ambition is clear: the next frontier is no longer India, but the global arenas of the sport.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.