Aditi misses tee party by a whisker
Tokyo, Aug. 7: She pulled off the best performance by an Indian golfer in the Olympics but Aditi Ashok could not clinch the eagerly-anticipated medal, signing off 4th after spending a majority of the four rounds in contention for a podium finish, here on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Bengalurean ended two strokes off the pace with a total of 15-under 269, which was just one stroke below the medal bracket. In the final round, she managed a 3-under 68
It was a heartbreaking end to Aditi’s campaign considering she started the day in sole second position.
But it was nonetheless a massive improvement as she had finished tied 41st in the 2016 edition where golf made a comeback to the Olympics after over 100 years.
In the final round, she fired five birdies — on the 5th, 6th, 8th, 13th and 14th holes — against two bogeys on the 9th and 11th. The world number 200 Indian had her mother Maheshwari as her caddie.
Aditi kept her smile intact even as her 25-foot birdie attempt ball slid past the cup on the 18th and final hole. With that she knew that her final chance of a shot at the medal in the Olympic women’s golf had gone.
Overnight leader and world number one Nelly Korda clinched the gold
A medal was narrowly missed but you’ve gone farther than any Indian and blazed a trail.
— NARENDRA MODI,
Prime Minister
Well played, Aditi Ashok!
One more daughter of India makes her mark! You have taken Indian golfing to new heights by today’s historic performance. You have played with immense calm and poise. Congratulations for the impressive display of grit and skills.
— RAM NATH KOVIND,
President
medal with a 2-under 69 that left her 17-under overall and a shot ahead of Japan’s Mone Inami (65) and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko (65).