She Overturned a Seven-Shot Deficit, Now India's Teen Golf Star Has an Even Bigger Dream

India's rising golf star Mannat Brar is keeping her feet firmly on the ground after securing her maiden professional title, choosing to focus on improving her game rather than celebrating her breakthrough success. Inspired by Rory McIlroy's perseverance, the 19-year-old believes consistent hard work will eventually open the doors to bigger achievements, including her ultimate dream of winning an Olympic medal for India.

Brar produced one of the most memorable victories on the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour last month, overturning a seven-shot deficit in the final round to clinch the title in Bengaluru. While the win boosted her confidence, she says it merely confirmed the belief she had always carried, that she was capable of becoming a champion.

The Chandigarh golfer revealed that McIlroy's journey to completing the career Grand Slam has had a profound impact on her mindset. His remark that he had not won "from a lack of trying" resonated deeply, reminding her that success comes from persistence rather than chasing immediate results.

Brar's progress has been evident over the past two years. She impressed with a tied-11th finish at the 2024 Indian Open as an amateur and was the highest-placed female golfer at this year's IGPL Invitational Congo, finishing tied fourth overall in a mixed-field event. She also praised the Indian Golf Premier League for providing women an opportunity to compete alongside men for equal prize money.

Training under renowned coach Jassi Garewal at the Roundglass Academy, Brar has shifted her focus towards becoming technically stronger while spending long hours in the gym to improve mobility, strength and power.

Raised in an Army family, Brar credits discipline for shaping her career. Despite becoming a professional winner at just 19, she insists there are no shortcuts. Her immediate goal is to add distance to her game and develop into a golfer capable of challenging the world's best before pursuing her long-term ambition of standing on the Olympic podium for India.