Aditi Ashok continues to dazzle; Climbs to T21 in Q School Stage I

Anand Datla

August 28, 2016: In a remarkable recovery, Aditi Ashok soared 62 spots on Saturday with a sensational five under 67 on the Arnold Palmer Course at the Rancho Mirage in California. It was a stupendous effort by the young Indian golfer, who was languishing in T83 at the end of the first two rounds. Aditi’s spotless third round effort saw her jump to T21, nearly assuring herself of a passage to Stage II. The top 90 and ties in Stage I progress to the next stage.

Sharmila Nicollet remained rooted outside the top 100, after producing a fighting two over 74 in the third round, also on the Arnold Palmer course.

Simi Mehra suffered a big letdown on Saturday. Playing on the Dinah Shore course, three double bogeys and five bogeys saw the great veteran sign on an 81. Simi dropped to T194 from T62 overnight.

Aditi is now just five shots behind the leaders Mariah Stackhouse, Madchen Ly, Daniela Darquea, Savannah Vilaubi and Sarah Schmelzel.

The 67 shot by Aditi was the low round of the day, matched only by two golfers – Nasa Hataoka and Carrie Park. Aditi is currently 3-under 213, with the leaders at 213.

Sharmila is nine behind Aditi after making scores of 73, 75 and 74 in the three rounds so far. Simi’s 54 hole score is 226 (73-72-81).

Simi made four bogeys in the first six holes, punctuated by an even five at the second hole and a birdie three at the fourth hole.

She took a double bogey at the 8^th hole, making the turn in 41 strokes. Double bogeys were added at 10 and 13, before some respite at the 14^th hole, in the form of a birdie. The last bogey of her round came at the 16^th hole.

Sharmila was even through the front nine – a birdie at the 3^rd negated by a bogey at the fifth hole. After six consecutive pars, Sharmila suffered a double bogey at the par-4 12^th hole. The golfer followed that up with a birdie at the 13^th and a bogey at the next hole. She signed off with four straight pars.

The day clearly belonged to Sharmila. Two birdies on the front nine and three more on the return stretch helped Aditi end the suspense over her progress to the next stage. A score of even or better should be enough to secure her passage.