Aditi Ashok has won the heart of the golfing world with her performance at the 2021 Olympics. After finding herself in the running for a podium place throughout the four-round competition, the Indian fell agonizingly short in the final round.
Aditi Ashok had ended round three with a score of 12-under 201 in second position. As the competition intensified in the final round on Saturday, the medal places opened up with four contenders -- USA's World No.1 Nelly Korda, New Zealand's Lydia Ko, Japan's Inami Mone and Aditi.
Aditi, who has a world ranking of 200, was still in contention but a bogey on the 11th meant she had no room for errors in the remaining holes. Then, on the 15th, Aditi Ashok missed out on a birdie while all her competitors made theirs. This pushed her out of medal contention and Aditi had to play catch up from that point on.
At the end of the competition, Aditi had to settle for fourth spot with a card of 15-under par 269. Korda clinched gold with a score of 17-under 267. Mone took silver and Ko the bronze after a playoff was required to break their tie for second spot.
Praise pours in for Aditi Ashok
Aditi Ashok's efforts at the Tokyo Olympics have not gone unnoticed. The Bengalurean's excellent putting ability has won her the praise of golfing aficianados. Aditi's fellow competitors also applauded the historic performance. Nelly Korda said:
"She has some kind of swagger on the putting green. She owns it."
Aditi Ashok has succeeded in making Indians follow a sport that is not very popular in the country. Most back home are not well versed with terms like birdie and bogey. However, following Aditi Ashok's performance, golf has been trending across social media platforms and search engines in the country.
Aditi is just 23 years old. She has already competed in two Olympics and is also part of the LPGA tour. Her abilities and achievements, coupled with this result, might have set India's golfing revolution in motion.