India’s teen golfer Aditi Ashok rounded off yet another week with a card of five-over 76 to end her campaign at the 41st spot in the women’s golf event at Rio Olympics, on Saturday.
Nine of the world’s Top-10 took part in the event making it as strong as any Major and ensuring credibility for the sport, which made a re-appearance at the sporting extravaganza after 112 years.
For Aditi to hold her own on the first two days when her cards of 68-68 kept her in the Top-8 of the field was indeed a big step for Indian golf at world stage. After a brilliant first two days, Aditi was blown away by the wind on the third when she shot 79.
On the final day, the Indian admitted to hitting a couple of bad drives and missing some putts during her 76 and for the first time in four days, she had no birdies and just three bogeys and one double bogey.
The 18-year-old, who turned took up the sport professionally only six months ago, finished the week at seven-over 291. Aditi said,
The experience has been great staying at the Olympic Village and playing with the best in the world and I really enjoyed playing this golf course, too. It played different every day because of the wind and the conditions, but yeah, I enjoyed it.
With my performance, you know, I could have done better, but you know, I’m going to build on this, and the next time I play bigger events, I’m sure this experience is going to help me.Aditi Ashok, Golfer, India
On the importance of the week for Indian golf, Aditi added, “I think it was important. Obviously I didn’t play as well as I hoped, especially the last two days. But I’m sure there has been a lot of attention on me, so women’s golf has become a bit popular. I’m hoping to see it grow in coming time.”
In terms of visibility for the sport, Aditi said,
I tried my best. If I had done better, I’m sure I would have helped with creating greater visibility for golf. But I think going from here, the better I play, the more I’m still going to do that, even if I’m not going to be playing in the Olympics every other week. Yeah, I’m looking forward to using this experience and doing that.
“I tried my best. If I had done better, I’m sure I would have helped with creating greater visibility for golf. But I think going from here, the better I play, the more I’m still going to do that, even if I’m not going to be playing in the Olympics every other week. Yeah, I’m looking forward to using this experience and doing that.”
Aditi now plans to have a shot at the LPGA, where she goes for the Qualifying. The only Indian to have played on LPGA before her has been Simi Mehra and when asked if that motivated her, she said,
Ever since I started golf, I’ve always wanted to be playing with the best in the world and competing at the highest level. Yeah, it’s great that another Indian has done it before; it is kind of inspiring. I hope that I can go far and maybe go a little extra.”
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