Camille looking to bounce back at Indian Open golf

WOMEN’S INDIAN OPEN FACTFILE

Battling poor form after winning the Hero Women’s Indian Open last year, her breakthrough win on the Ladies European Tour (LET), Camille Chevalier comes into this week at the DLF Golf and Country Club on the back of some serious practice.

The 24-year-old from Marseille, France, spent time with her coach at the Le Golf National in Paris, ironing out the flaws in her game at the venue of last month’s Ryder Cup. Camille felt she could not have prepared better. “The narrow layout tests you,” said the defending champion.

Aware of what lies ahead, Camille listed accuracy off the tees as one of the keys to success this week.

Since that win last year, it has been a struggle, 26th at the Jabra Ladies Open her best result, Camille hopes familiarity with the conditions and memories of last year will put her in contention again.

The eagerness was apparent as she followed up on Monday’s 18 holes with another nine on Tuesday. “If you want to win, you have to make putts, and especially on this course, landing the ball on the right side of the fairways and greens is critical,” said Camille.

Caroline Hedwall, the 2011 champion, also had issues with form till things fell in place for the Swede at last month’s Ladies Open de France.

The LET’s highest-ranked player this week at No 4 on its order of merit, Caroline, who also plays the Ladies Professional Golf Association in the US, though relieved to get past the phase of missing cut by a shot or two, termed the season a modest

GURUGRAM:

Venue: DLF Golf and Country Club Date: 18-21 October

Defending champion:

Camille Chevalier

Winner’s prize Unlike previous editions, the tournament will be played over 72 holes and four days

Key Indians: Vani Kapoor, Tvesa Malik, Amandeep Drall, Gaurika Bishnoi, Gursimar Badwal

one despite ending a winless run. Impressed by the overhaul since her win seven years ago, Caroline said the new course was “a good layout and stern challenge”.