Aditi Ashok is a bright ray of hope for women’s golf in India

She had a full access Ladies European Tour card even before she could apply for a driver’s license. Aditi Ashok is a teenage sensation unlike any that women’s golf has ever seen in India. She has been playing with great confidence, mixing it with the ladies on the tour with a calm head that betrays her age and experience. Naturally, Indian golf has its hopes riding high, flying around Europe on the broad shoulders of this young lass from Bengaluru.

The 18 year old girl finished the recently held 2016 Buick Championship in a creditable T27, pocketing valuable points and €5,384 in the process. Aditi showed great composure to end the tournament on an even 72, after posting 74-73-73 in the first three rounds.

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But the year did not begin as well for the young Indian. In her first outing this year, Aditi fell through the sieve after scores of 74 & 75 dropped her to T77 at the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open.

She travelled to Mission Hills as a reserve for the World Ladies Championship, but she did not get an opportunity to compete on the Olazabal Course.

Aditi’s best finish this season has come at the Lalla Meryem Cup, where she finished T21. Playing at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Aditi started with an even par 72, containing three birdies and bogeys. But she had to settle for scores of 74-73-74 in the remaining three rounds, as she battled with a tough course.

Her five over 293 though was good enough for a finish just outside the top 20 at the prestigious event. Aditi won €6,525 in the process and her combined results have placed her 39th on the LET Order of Merit.

Aditi is learning quickly and will need to make a few adjustments to push her ranking higher up the order. The young girl will aim to do better on the par-4 and par-5 holes, where she is currently averaging 4.10 and 4.93 respectively.

The one area that could help Aditi improve her scoring average of 73.40 is her second shot. Even though she is making nearly 73% fairways, she is only able to translate it to 57% greens in regulation, forcing her often to scramble just for par.

Given the support of her doting parents and a sharp golfing brain, Aditi will figure the means to rise up the order sooner than later. It is a ride you will not want to miss.