A year conquered in the best possible way and already raring to have a go at the next. That’s how this young Bengaluru golfer has her path carved out.
At 18, Aditi Ashok has already made her mark in history as she took the golfing world by storm in her debut year as a pro.
The determination shown by the teenager has been unparalleled as she not only achieved her set goals for the year but also climbed several new rungs.
Aditi, whose love for the course began when she was just five has always been on the map with her sizzling performances. She picked up her first trophy at just nine.
One couldn’t have asked for a more fruitful year: seven top-ten finishes out of the 13 LET (Ladies European Tour) tournaments and an eye-catching performance at the Rio Olympics.
The only Indian woman golfer gave the biggies a run for their money as she put herself in contention for a medal. Having set the tone, it was all but time before Aditi notched up her first win.
And the youngster couldn’t have hoped for a better way to win her first professional title as she clinched the Hero Indian Open in New Delhi in November.
With the win Aditi became the first Indian woman to not only win the Indian Open, but also the first to win a Ladies European Tour title.
“It feels really good to finally lay my hands on the trophy. With so many close finishes this year, I felt like I was close to winning and it was just around the corner. What makes it more special is that when the win finally did come, it was in front of my home crowd. It was my goal to win a tournament in my first year and I have achieved that. So am very satisfied with my game. The win is very special, especially since I’m the first woman from the country to do it.”
After her win at the Indian Open, Aditi did what was little expected as she notched up her second title, winning the Qatar Ladies Open and also securing a berth in the LPGA, women’s golf’s most coveted tour.
The teenage sensation then set her path for next year’s qualifying for the Ladies Professional Golf Association, which is considered to be the toughest tour. Having her work cut out for the 2017.
The Bengaluru starlet, who was runaway winner for the rookie of the year award, will be playing her first full season next year at the LPGA and will have conditional status.
Which indicates the 18-year-old will be determined to give her best in the few tournaments she takes part in. Also after her fine show in the past year, she will also be seen in action in a few majors.
Set for new adventures, which means conquering new courses around the world, the young lass said, “I have conditional status on the LPGA so I want to do well in all the tournaments I get into. I will also get to play in Majors so I want to do well in them too. I will still play on the LET and try to play as many tournaments as I can.”
If past performances are an indication, the young golfer, who finished second on the Order of Merit, will achieve what she sets her eyes on.
If 2016 was a big start, the teenager is determined to raise the bar in 2017 as she shows promise to be one of the outstanding performers of the year again in her bid to conquer new frontiers.
