Aditi Ashok gets off to a good start in Women’s PGA Championship

June 30, 2017: The women golfers are contending for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, battling on the Olympia Fields course in Illinois. Indian golfer Aditi Ashok got off to an assured two under 69 in the first round of the major tournament. The weather is playing truant, causing delays to the completion of the first round. Chella Choi is running the table, posting a 66, with Amy Yang also at 5-under through the 17^th hole.

Aditi is lying in T11, just three strokes off the pace set by Choi and Yang. Brittany Altomare shot 67, while Joanna Klatten is also at 4-under through the 16^th hole.

Starting on the 10^th hole, Aditi got off to a measured start – making nine straight pars. The 103^rd ranked Indian made a birdie at the first hole to make her first move on the day.

Aditi added back to back birdies at the 5^th and 6^th holes to inch her way up. She conceded first shot of the day at her final hole, the par-4 ninth to sign on a 69.

Meanwhile, 56^th ranked Choi owned the first round conversation with a forceful finish that catapulted her to the top of the order. She shot four birdies in her final five holes to surge up the order.

“This is the biggest tournament, so I want to play well,” said the 26-year-old Choi. “I hit really good tee shots today. I had a lot of chances in the fairway. My putting was there today, so I made a lot of birdies.”

The field this week consists of 156 players, with 96 internationals from 29 countries including India. Playing in her second major tournament, Aditi is looking to build on her T42 finish at the ANA Championship with a memorable run this week.

The first round performance should give Aditi plenty of confidence as she went through the day relatively unscathed. Except the final hole bogey, Aditi played on her own terms.

A top ten finish will help her also underline her growing stature on the LPGA Tour. A second round 64 at the NWA Championship last week helped thrust Aditi into the LPGA arc lights. A solid effort this week will also see Aditi break through inside the top 100 on the Rolex Rankings.