India’s Veer Ahlawat wrapped up his week at Trump International Golf Links with a gritty one-under 71 on Sunday, locking in a tied-25th spot at the Nexo Championship.
A Solid Week in Testing Links Conditions
The wind was no stranger in Aberdeen over the weekend. On a course that has broken the spirits of many seasoned golfers, Ahlawat found a way to stay in the fight. He carded three birdies against two bogeys — all before the turn — and then parred his way home on the back nine.
It wasn’t fireworks, but it was steady. And sometimes, steady is exactly what the leaderboard demands.
For Ahlawat, this was another reminder that he can compete in Europe’s toughest conditions.
Career Milestone: A Third Top-25 on the DP World Tour
The tied-25th finish might not scream victory, but it quietly marks progress. This was only the third time Ahlawat has broken into the top-25 on the DP World Tour.
His season highlights so far include:
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Tied-17th at the Hero Indian Open in New Delhi
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Tied-13th at the Austrian Alpine Open
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Now, tied-25th at the Nexo Championship in Scotland
Each result chips away at the learning curve of elite European golf. And each week, the 27-year-old from Gurgaon is finding more comfort on courses that demand creativity and patience.
A Front Nine Filled with Action
The first nine holes on Sunday felt like a balancing act between boldness and restraint.
One birdie came early, setting a confident tone. Another followed, but so did the first bogey. Then came the third birdie, only to be countered by another dropped shot.
It was a stretch that kept spectators guessing.
By the time he turned for the back nine, Ahlawat looked calmer. He shifted gears, playing each hole with minimal risk. Nine consecutive pars might sound uneventful on paper, but for a player protecting his score, it was a masterclass in course management.
A Look at His Performance by Round
A clearer picture emerges when you break his week into numbers:
| Round | Score | Relation to Par |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 74 | +2 |
| 2 | 73 | +1 |
| 3 | 73 | +1 |
| 4 | 71 | -1 |
Four days, a cumulative 3-over, and yet a place inside the top third of the field. That’s what consistency looks like in a sport where one bad hole can send you tumbling 20 spots.
Playing on Merit, Eyeing Bigger Stages
Ahlawat’s spot on the DP World Tour this season comes from topping last year’s Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) Order of Merit. That achievement gave him access to tournaments where the stakes — and the prize purses — are much higher.
He’s not just making up the numbers. Each event is a chance to test his game against the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and other household names.
His short-term aim? Build on these finishes to secure a full card for next season. Long term, it’s about making a dent in major championships.
Why This Matters for Indian Golf
In recent years, Indian golf has had its share of international success stories — Anirban Lahiri, Shubhankar Sharma, and Gaganjeet Bhullar, to name a few. But consistent representation on the DP World Tour remains a challenge.
Ahlawat’s performances offer hope. Every cut made, every leaderboard climb, adds visibility to Indian golf in global circles. And that visibility can inspire the next wave of young golfers back home.
The Nexo Championship might not be a major, but for Indian fans watching, it was another step in showing that talent from the subcontinent can hold its own in Scotland’s coastal gusts.
Scotland’s Test of Golfing Character
Trump International Golf Links is a picturesque but punishing venue. The layout snakes along the North Sea, with fairways that feel narrower when the wind picks up.
For Ahlawat, playing here meant adapting his usual style. High, attacking shots were replaced by low, controlled ball flights. The putter became both a weapon and a lifeline.
Even local players admit this course demands more than just technical skill. It asks for mental resilience — and over four days, Ahlawat showed he had plenty.
Looking Ahead
With the European summer swing still in full flow, Ahlawat will have more chances to build momentum. His next starts could prove decisive in whether he secures a top-100 Order of Merit spot by year’s end.
For now, though, this result in Scotland is one worth pocketing. It’s not a trophy, but it’s another page in the growing story of his DP World Tour career.
