August 29, 2016: Indian golfer Aditi Ashok (72-74-67-74) marched herself into Stage II of the LPGA and Symetra Tour Qualifying School Stage II with a solid two over 74 on the Dinah Shore course. Sharmila Nicollet (73-75-74-73) was unlucky to miss out despite a gallant charge to the finish line on Sunday.
Aditi ended the week in a tie for 21st. The top 90 in the LPGA and Symetra Tour Qualifying School Stage I event advance to Stage II. Sharmila finished just below the line in T93, an agonizing stroke short of keeping herself alive in the competition. Simi Mehra missed the cut at the end of the third round, carding an 81 on Saturday.
Starting the day tied in 20th, Aditi opted to take a conservative approach. She made sixteen pars on Sunday as she kept her head down to grind out a strong finish.
Aditi conceded bogeys at the par-4 fourth hole and the par-3 17th hole, but those blemishes did not hurt her in anyway. She ended the week nine shots off the pace, but Aditi must feel vindicated about her own chances after competing with the best young girls in the world.
Interestingly, the event was won by an amateur, Daniela Darquea from Ecuador, who got the better of a host of American hopefuls. Daniela shot 67-70-71-70 for a winning score of 10-under 278.
Amateurs also featured in second and third spots. Princess Superal finished in a tie for second with frontrunner Sarah Schmelzel, just one shot behind the winner. Japanese player Nasa Hataoka ended the week in fourth place at 8-under 280.
Sharmila had work to do, starting the final round in 121st place. She struck a birdie at the second hole to get herself off to a positive start.
Bogeys at the sixth and ninth holes dropped her to seven over. Despite nine straight pars to end the week, Sharmila missed an elusive birdie that would have been enough to put her through to the second stage.
The action now moves to the East coast. The first stage was played at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. Stage II will be hosted by the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida between 17th and 23rd October.
The third and final stage, featuring the top 60 from stage II will be played between 28 November and 4 December at the LPGA International, Daytona Beach, Florida.
