CHENNAI: November 30, 2012. Just another Friday for most people who were headed to the DLF Golf and Country Club for the start of the sixth edition of the Hero Women’s Indian Open.
One of the richest events in the sport in the country had yet to throw up an Indian woman capable of capturing the imagination. That changed on the evening of November 30. Aditi Ashok, who had already served notice of her talent at junior events, had entered the field as an amateur (she was 14 then). By the time she had walked off the greens after the first day, Aditi had carded a three-under 69 to be in joint lead.
However, she fell by the wayside over the next two days. Since then, she has issued a number of calling cards at various tournaments — including the Rio Olympic Games — but an eye-catching victory continued to elude her.
That narrative changed on Sunday when she became the first Indian to win on the Ladies European Tour by winning the Indian Open at the same course. And she did it in some style too. With three players tied going into the 18th hole, Aditi shot a birdie, her 13th over three days, to complete a thrilling heist. The way she won also spoke volumes about her character, because she had bogeyed the par-4 17th.
She was happy to get over the line after a couple of close calls earlier in the year. “I have had four top 10s but I was never able to get all my strokes together. I sort of did that here.”
After her first title as a professional, she revealed the calculations that were going through her head at the 18th hole. “I was thinking of playing at the flag so even if I missed, there wouldn’t be much bounce. I missed it to the left, but luckily the slope caught it.”
She is very much in the race to bag the Rookie of the Year Title — she is currently in first. “I don’t know where I was, coming into the tournament. With the win maybe I’m close. I still have a few tournaments to go, so let’s see how it works out.”
Given the 2016 the 18-year-old has had, that’s only going to finish one way: WIN.
swaroop@newindianexpress.com