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17-year-old Aditi Ashok of Bengaluru, ranked 52nd in the world golf amateur rankings, took top prize at the Leeds-based tournament today. She also leads the Indian Golf Union's ladies amateur order of merit.
Making history at the tournament, Ashok is not only the first Indian to take the title, but the youngest-ever winner of the tournament. Over the 4 days of the tournament, the teenager shot four days total of 11-under 285 (71,73,70,71) at the par 74 club.She carded five birdies and four bogeys in halves of 37-34 and made one eagle on 16th on the final day
Earlier this year, Ashok also won the prestigious 54-hole St Rule Trophy at the iconic St Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland, and was one of the youngest female amateurs to do so.
At the Ladies British Amateur Golf tournament, which concluded today, she beat 39 other players to take top spot and the overall prize, the Nicholls Trophy. She also finished with the lowest score for an under-18 player at the tournament, and was awarded the Dinwiddy Trophy to that end.
The teenager was satisfied with her own performance at the tournament, telling assembled reporters "I played consistently over all four days which was the key for me. Though I could have scored better on many holes, I am pleased with an 11-under finish.”
Iconic Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri, who also resides in Bengaluru, says he has been following Ashok’s performances, and says "It's fantastic to see Aditi go from strength to strength. Great to see her performing internationally. Hope she can carry on and do well at the highest levels. I wish her all the luck and success."
Lahiri set an Indian record himself earlier this week, as he claimed a tied fifth-place finish at the PGA Championships on Monday,registering the best finish by an Indian at any golfing Majors so far, a record previously held by Jeev Milkha Singh, who had a best 9th-place finish at the same tournament years earlier.
