Anand Dalta

Lessons from the men’s competition could be key for Aditi Ashok

The intense battle for Gold in the men's competition offers valuable lessons for Aditi Ashok and the women Key - Aditi Ashok

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Aditi Ashok shot a second straight 71 to make the cut in Pilsen

Justin Rose, clearly sucked in by the Olympic experience, produced inspired golf to walk away with the Gold medal in the men’s competition. Aditi Ashok and the women tee off tomorrow evening 0400pm (IST) and they can draw some valuable lessons from the men’s competition that preceded their event. The scores put up by the men offer interesting insight into the challenges facing the golfers, so that can help the women prepare better for the next four days.

The turn at the deceptive Olympic Golf Course has been hurting golfers. The golfers need to try and take advantage of the par-5 tenth hole, since the course is extracting shots over the four holes between the 11th and 14th.

The par-4 eleventh hole was the third most difficult hole on the course this past week, along with the par-3 fourth hole.

Aditi Ashok is doing very well on the Ladies European Tour
Aditi Ashok is doing very well on the Ladies European Tour

The par-4 12th yielded a miserly 14 birdies over the four rounds in the men’s competition. The women need to focus on their first two shots here to try and get away from here with an even par.

The 13th, also a par-4 was the second most difficult hole, right behind the 12th hole. The average at these two holes has been 4.311 and 4.273 respectively, combining to be the two most difficult holes on the course

Aditi Ashok Olympics
With the 14th and 15th holes being the 7th and 8th most challenging holes on the course, this is a stretch that demands some virtue from the golfers. And it is not just skill, as much as it is temperament in dealing with the situation.

The good news for the golfers is that 16 and 18 have been playing relatively easy, yielding a combined 185 birdies last week. So it is imperative to score a shot off the course at least on one of these two holes.

The 2nd and 7th holes on the front nine demand special attention too. Both are par-4s, which means the women need to pick the right spots off the tee and plan carefully to ensure a safe approach to the green.

The resounding success of the men’s competition, an event that was settled on the final hole, sets the tone for the women. It is set to be another glorious week for golf.

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