'I like being the first to do things': Meet Pranavi Urs, who made history with Asian Games golf gold

NEW DELHI: Pranavi Urs made history at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday, becoming the first Indian woman golfer to win an individual gold medal at the Games.The 23-year-old from Mysuru held her nerve in a tense final round to finish one stroke ahead of the field. Her victory also helped India win the women's team silver medal.Pranavi finished the four-day competition at 15-under 265, with a final-round score of even-par 70.Triple bogey, then a strong comebackPranavi began the final round with a three-stroke lead but saw her advantage disappear after a triple bogey on the third hole. She responded strongly, making three birdies on the sixth, 10th and 13th holes to get back in control. She then held on to her one-stroke lead to complete a historic victory.China's Yin Ruoning won silver after shooting 67 in the final round. She finished at 14-under 266.Singapore's Shannon Tan also ended at 266 after a 68. She won the bronze medal following a playoff.'The first will always be the first'Pranavi was delighted after completing the biggest victory of her career."I like being the first to do things," a jubilant Pranavi said after the historic triumph."People will come along to do more but the first will always be the first," she said.Her victory ended a long wait for India in Asian Games golf.Pranavi's gold was India's first golfing gold since Shiv Kapur won the men's individual title in 2002. It was also India's best performance in golf since the 1982 Delhi Asian Games, when golf became part of the Games programme.Lakshman Singh won the men's individual gold that year. He was also part of India's gold-winning team alongside Amit Luthra and Rajiv Mohta.Pranavi helps India win team silverPranavi's individual gold was followed by a team silver for India.The Indian women's team consisted of Pranavi, Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar. The two best scores from the three golfers were counted for the team competition.India finished with a combined score of 14-under 546, behind gold medallists China, who finished at 22-under 538.Aditi produced her best round of the week, shooting 67. She made five consecutive birdies but also had a double bogey and a bogey. She finished tied 14th in the individual event at 2-over 282.Diksha shot 77 in the final round and finished tied 23rd with a total of 12-over.The result gave India its best-ever performance in the women's team golf event at the Asian Games.Who is Pranavi Urs?Pranavi Sharath Urs was born on April 15, 2003, in Mysuru, Karnataka. She started playing golf as a child after watching her father and brother play at the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Club in Mysuru.She made her mark in junior golf, winning the 2018 Singha World Junior Championship in Thailand and the All India Junior Girls Championship.Pranavi turned professional in 2020 and competed on the domestic women's professional golf circuit before moving to the international stage.She represented India at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, finishing 13th in the individual event and fourth in the team event.From domestic golf to the international stagePranavi has competed on the Ladies European Tour (LET) and produced several notable results. She finished third at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España in 2024 and tied for third at the Dormy Open Helsingborg that year. She also finished fourth at the Hero Women's Indian Open 2025 and tied for fifth at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France 2025.In 2025, she won the IGPL Invitational Mumbai, becoming the first Indian woman to win a professional open-field tournament featuring male golfers.She finished 17th in the 2024 Ladies European Tour standings during her first full season on the tour.Pranavi was also conferred the Arjuna Award in 2023 for her achievements and contribution to Indian golf.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.