Aditi Ashok falls short of a place at the US Open

Anand Datla

May 26, 2016: India’s hopes to see Aditi Ashok come through the regional qualifiers for the US Women’s Open Championship came unstuck on Wednesday. Aditi played some exceptional golf towards the end, but her total score of 2-over 146 was not enough to get her through from a tough group of European aspirants.

Jade Schaeffer from France shot 67-72 to lead the group of five qualifiers who made their way to main event scheduled to be held from July 07 to 10. Another Frenchwoman, Valentine Derrey shot 4-under 140 to tie with Swede Camilla Lennarth and Olivia Cowan, a rookie golfer from Germany. Scotland’s Pamela Pretswell snatched the last available spot from the European qualifier at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club.

The 18 year old Indian golfer ended the qualifier in T14, contesting with 72 other players, in a two round shootout for the five spots on offer.
The opportunity seemed like a distant dream when she compromised her chances with a 76 in the first round. She was lying outside the top 50 after playing 18 holes.

But the young golfer showed tremendous character under pressure to give herself an outside chance midway through the second round.
Aditi made three birdies on her front nine, making the turn in 33 strokes. Even though she suffered a bogey at the 10th hole, she recovered it immediately with another birdie on the next hole.

She edged closer to the top 10 when she made the fifth birdie of the round at the 13th hole to go four under. As she fought gallantly to force her way into the top five, aggression cost her dear.

Aditi made a double bogey at the 17th, the grimace on her visage telling a story of deep disappointment. She signed on a 70 to finish the event inside the top 20. It will not be long before the young Indian plays her first women’s major.

Fans will remember that Aditi tried to qualify last year too, when she ended up T42. The qualifiers will head to San Martin, California for the women’s US Open from July 7-10.