March 29, 2017: Aditi Ashok is in Mission Hills pursuing her aspirations for a major victory. The first major of the season has a loaded field of golfers, including defending champion world No.1 Lydia Ko and No.2 Ariya Jutanugarn. Aditi will look to make an impressive effort in only her second start on the LPGA in her rookie season.
Aditi’s only other LPGA start this year was a T52 at the Women’s Australian Open in February. The young Indian played in Rancho Mirage last year during the qualifying school events and her familiarity with the course should give her an edge this week.
Major glory awaits on Sunday
The ANA Inspiration in the Californian desert offers Aditi just the right stage to assert herself on the LPGA scene. Lydia Ko became the youngest ever two time major winner last year, when she won the tournament from Jutanugarn. Aditi and Lydia are of similar age and that should help the young Indian calm her nerves ahead of an 0845am start on Thursday.
The 18 year old Indian is set to tee off from the 10th tee box in the company of Mi Hyang Lee. The 47th ranked Korean has been on the LPGA since 2012, with her lone career victory coming at the Mizuno Classic in 2014.
Aditi has enjoyed a bright start to the season with both Golfing Indian and Times of India recognising her with awards for her stellar showing in 2016. Aditi stormed on to the international stage with a powerful showing on the Ladies European Tour.
The teenager from Bengaluru was the Rookie of the Season on the LET last year with two back to back victories in Delhi and Doha.
Though Aditi reckons that the competition among Rookies on the LPGA will be far more intense, she isn’t short on confidence. Expect a resolute effort from the young golfer this week as she works hard to stamp her class on the biggest golf tour on the planet.
