Aditi Ashok, an Indian player, has been a rising star in the game of golf. After winning the Magical Kenya Ladies Open to open the Ladies European Tour, Ashok placed third in Morocco the following week and is now leading the Aramco Saudi Ladies International by 2 strokes.
Ashok’s head-turning back 9 (her front nine) at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club featured five birdies and an Eagle. To follow her opening 29 with a 37, she shot 66 on a windy day to take the lead over World No. 1 Lydia Ko at 13 underpar.
Ko finished her 64th round with a 69, and is tied with American Lilia Vi (66), at 11 under.
Ashok, a clinic participant on the greens’ early one, said that “It was just whenever it was I stepped up to the ball I just knew the ball was going into.” “Just one of those days when everything works out in your favor.”
Ashok, a four-time winner of the LET was able to hole out for eagle at the bunker on the par-5 18,th as she turned.
Ashok spoke out about her impressive early-year form. She said that she had worked hard on her driving in the offseason to improve her swing speed. Last season, she was 99th on LPGA’s CME point list. The top 100 players keep their cards.
She said, “Just went to gym a lot.” “I think after last year, when I traveled so much, I lost some weight so I was trying get that weight back.
“I’m not anywhere near where I want to go.” It’s still a work-in-progress.
Even in these conditions @aditigolf is still playing some incredible golf #WitnessHistorypic.twitter.com/XdsdlnTwiN
— Aramco Saudi Ladies International February 17, 2023
Ko, who is participating in her first event since she was married, stated that the wind had picked up so much she couldn’t adjust her stance enough for her putter to stabilize.
She said that she thought she had made the putt on 16, but it was so far from the club face, there probably is no similar control. It’s one of those days where you know it will be difficult. It is difficult for everyone.
Saudi Ladies International is a Ladies European Tour sanctioned event that features 15 of the top thirty players in the Rolex Rankings. The prize fund for the women’s event in Saudi is now equal to $5 million. This is the largest prize in women’s golf, other than the majors and LPGA’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship ($7million).
The six LET-sponsored Saudi-backed events in 2023 remain controversial due to the extensive human rights violations Saudi Arabia has been accused, particularly towards women.
Former No. Former No.
Among those who didn’t make it were Hannah Green, Linn Green, Gabriela Ruffels and Anne van Dam.
