Aditi Ashok
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A brief biography
In brief
Joy Chakravarty, August 8, 2021: The Times of India
Name: Aditi Ashok
Age: 23
Date of birth: March 29, 1998
Residence: Bengaluru
Turned pro: 2015
Title wins (three): 2016 Hero Indian Women’s Open, 2016 Qatar Ladies Open; 2017 Fatima Bint Mubarak Abu Dhabi Ladies Open (all on Ladies European Tour) Best finish on LPGA: T-third at the 2021 Down Jones Lakes Bay Invitational
Amateur results: Won the 2015 St Rule Trophy; the 2015 Ladies British Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship and the 2015 Thailand Amateur
Remarkable junior career: Won the national amateur championship (2011) before she won the All-India Juniors (2012, 2013 and 2014), and won a professional WGAI tournament in 2013 while still a junior
As in 2021 August
Joy Chakravarty, August 8, 2021: The Times of India
The Indian ace has won three times on the Ladies European Tour, including the 2016 Hero Indian Women’s Open and the Qatar Ladies Open in back-to-back starts, and qualified for the LPGA Tour within one year of turning professional. From 2017 onwards, she may not have won against the finest in the game in America, but she has safely kept her card for five straight LPGA seasons now. These are all noteworthy feats for any golfer, but Aditi’s career so far has been inextricably linked with the Five Rings.
Let’s start with the inspiration. As a very talented junior golfer, at the age of 14, Aditi decided she wanted to represent India at the Games while watching the 2012 London Olympics. That led to new plans and schedule. The decision of turning pro needed to be brought forward so that she had a chance to make it to Rio in 2016, where golf was making a comeback.
Because she was an amateur, and the qualification for the Olympics was based on the professional rankings, Aditi needed to make sure she earned some Rolex Ranking points to make the cut. She had to qualify for professional events, including what turned out to be a most crucial spot in the high-profile 2015 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. That garnered her enough points to make her Olympic dreams a reality.
At the end of 2015, Olympics also dictated her decision to enter the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School, which she won as a 17-year-old.
Aditi did not do anything remarkable as a professional until she reached Rio as a wide-eyed teenager. However, once she was on the golf course, she was hell-bent on proving she meant business. The world stood up and took notice of the slender Indian as she grabbed the lead on the opening day against a quality field, and then held on to it well into the second round. Probably excitement and inexperience took over and she finally finished tied 41st.
“The Olympics was as good as what I had expected, and probably much more. I enjoyed my experience at the Games Village, watching events and meeting some of the superstars. I knew I wanted to get back for Tokyo,” said Aditi before starting her campaign in Tokyo.
“Rio was great, but I think it was more just enjoying the experience. I am a lot more prepared this time. Having played the Olympics once, you’re not as overawed by it. I am prepared to give my best and try and win a medal.”
Aditi was one of the last players to qualify for Rio, but this time she knew well in advance that she’d be going to Tokyo. And yet, her best-laid plans were ravaged by Covid-19.
In May, she fell prey to the virus wreaking havoc across the globe. Even as she recovered, she could feel the lingering after-effects, including a loss in strength and body muscles – never the ideal physical condition before playing on a brute of a golf course with stifling weather conditions. July and August in Japan is extremely hot and humid.
She did have a bit of match sharpness – a couple of weeks on the LPGA Tour. It included an LPGA career-best tied-third finish at the Dow Jones Lakes Bay Invitational, but that was a two-player team event. She reached Tokyo after having missed the cut at the Evian Championship.
Born for the Olympics
Not much was expected from the World No. 200, but people probably forgot Aditi was born for the Olympics. The grandest platform in world golf simply elevates her adrenaline like no other stage.
She did not drive the ball long – just an average of 208.1 yards that put her 59th among 60 players in driving distance – which, on a long course like Kasumigaseki, would have been disastrous. It meant that she’d have to attack the long, fast and slopy greens with longer clubs that would make it impossible to attack the flags. However, what she lacked in length, she made up with a deadly putter. It was the most extraordinary example of using your strength and managing your weakness. It was a life lesson that Aditi showed the world over four days against one of the finest field in the world, comprising of 14 of the top-15 golfers in the world. The cornerstone of Aditi’s game is how she chips and putts. She was a phenomenal +13.019 in Shots Gained Putting (a stat that indicates how well you have putted compared to the field). The Bengaluru girl virtually lapped the field in that important stat, finishing 5.45 shots better than the second-best Hannah Green (+7.56) of Australia.
There should be TedX talks on how the David almost beat the Goliaths at Olympic Golf. It was an exhibition of how focusing on your own SWOT can leave your most powerful competition toothless. This just wasn’t a fourth-place finish by Aditi Ashok – it was a life lesson.
From RJ to caddy – mum knows best!
In the aftermath of Aditi finishing fourth, just one shot outside the medals, at the Tokyo Olympics, a few fans questioned her choice of caddy.
On the bag the whole week was Maheshwari, Aditi’s mother – an RJ by profession in Bengaluru before she decided to curate her daughter’s career as a professional golfer. By all accounts, she has done a fabulous job so far.
It was probably Maheshwari’s reluctance to advise her daughter on the greens that led to fans taking the unwanted and uneducated potshot. But given how Aditi has turned reading greens into an art form, it would have been akin to holding Vincent van Gogh’s hands as he applied bold brushstrokes on a canvas.
Maheshwari did an excellent job on a couple of counts – keep Aditi on an even keel throughout the tournament when the pressure was intense, and in making sure her daughter was well prepared and completely hydrated in the energy-sapping heat and humidity. Three professional caddies had to receive medical assistance as they collapsed on the course during the event.
Indian professional golfer S Chikkarangappa, who caddied for Anirban Lahiri the week before in the men’s tournament, said: “Hats off to her. When we first heard that aunty was on the bag, we were a little bewildered, only because the conditions were inhuman. I consider myself as one of the fittest players on the Indian Tour, and I had a tough time moving with the 20-kg golf bag and keeping pace with the players. “I thought she did a tremendous job. Not only did she take care of Aditi, she also managed to take care of herself. Even lifelong caddies were having trouble doing that.”
Aditi’s bag is usually attended by her father Ashok, but they had such great fun during the 2016 Rio Olympics, she promised her mother the pleasure of carrying her bag whenever they played the next Olympics.
2015
I
The Times of India, Aug 22, 2015
Aditi Ashok becomes first Indian to win Ladies British Amateur
India's Aditi Ashok made history when she became the first from the country to win the Ladies British Amateur stroke play golf championship at the Moortown Golf Club.
The Indian Golf Union's ladies amateur order of merit, Aditi shot four days total of 11-under 285 (71,73,70,71) at the par 74 Moortown Golf Club.
The 17-year-old Bangalore girl, who had earlier won the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews in July this year and finished second in the 2015 European Women's Amateur Championship, also claimed the overall title called 'The Nicholls Trophy' as well as the 'Dinwiddy Trophy' given for the lowest score by an U-18 player.
Currently 52nd in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Aditi beat 39 players from around 30 countries including the 2015 Scottish Open Amateur Strokeplay winner Olivia Mehaffey of Ireland, who also took the second spot at six-under 290.
II: Ladies European Tour, Morocco
The Times of India Dec 22 2015
Marrakech (Morocco):
Aditi Ashok brought in a card of 68 during the fourth round of the Ladies European Tour LallaAicha Tour School in Morocco to lie second. The Bengaluru girl lies a stroke behind Germany's Karolin Lampert at the Amelkis Golf Club on 21 under par. On Sunday , Aditi's 62 equalled the men's course record. The top 30 players and ties after Tuesday's final round at Samanah Golf Club will earn a full tour card. Lotus takeover completed London:
2016
Wins Qatar Ladies Open
Aditi Ashok wins inaugural Qatar Ladies Open, PTI | Nov 26, 2016
Aditi won the Qatar title just a fortnight after claiming her maiden win at the Women's Indian Open.
Aditi totaled 15-under-par to grab a three-stroke win over Lydia Hall and Caroline Hedwall.
Aditi is the LET's leading rookie professional.
Aditi totaled 15-under-par to grab a three-stroke win.
DOHA: Indian teen golfer Aditi Ashok shot a final round of three-under 69 on a weather-hit last day to notch up her second successive victory on the Ladies European Tour at the inaugural Qatar Ladies Open on Saturday.
Just a fortnight after claiming her maiden win at the Hero Women's Indian Open, the 18-year-old rookie professional from Bangalore totaled 15-under-par at the Doha Golf Club to grab a three-stroke win over Lydia Hall and Caroline Hedwall.
2017
Aditi first Indian to make it to LPGA Tour Championships
Aditi makes history, November 15, 2017: The Times of India
First Indian To Make It To LPGA Tour C’ships
Aditi Ashok has qualified for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship on the LPGA, becoming the first from the country to play in the prestigious meet. The 19-year-old prodigy is one of the eight rookies to make it to the Tour Championships in what is one of the strongest fields in women’s golf.
Meanwhile, Aditi has succeeded in keeping her LPGA card for 2018 after a sterling rookie season. With a string of creditable performances, including a Top-10 and starts at all five Majors, it has been a landmark year for the Bengaluru golfer, who won two LET events in 2016 and one in 2017.
2021
Dow Great Lakes: career-best third
July 19, 2021: The Times of India
India’s Aditi Ashok and Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn missed out on their maiden LPGA success but won a lot of praise after finishing Tied-3rd at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational here. After three bogey-free rounds, the Indo-Thai duo added a four-under 66 in better ball, which saw both bogey the final hole of the week.
Yet their 19-under total fetched them a career-best third place finish behind, Thai sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn (24-under), who had a second 59 in the week, and the defending champion Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura (21-under). Aditi and Pajaree were Tied-3rd with A Lim Kim and Yealimi Noh at 19-under. Aditi and Pajaree, starting the final day in shared lead with Clanton and Suwannapura, did get off to a good birdie-birdie start but were then unable to find any more till the 12th. The duo, however, managed to keep bogeys off their cards.
2023
JM Eagle LA Championship
May 2, 2023: The Times of India
Los Angeles: Indian golfer Aditi Ashok came tantalisingly close to her maiden LPGA win before losing in a three-way playoff at the JM Eagle LA Championship.
The 25-year-old Indian, who has been on the LPGA for seven years now, carded a four-under 67 in the final round to earn a place in the play-off with Hannah Green (69) and Xiyu Lin (67).
But she couldn’t go the distance, registering a tied-second finish, her best result on the world’s biggest ladies Tour.
Though disappointed, she took positives from the second place at the Wilshire Country Club. “I think overall it’s a good week. I’ve never played in this position on the LPGA,” she said. “The competition is just so deep out here. ”
Aditi, who finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, started the week with a bogey-free five-under and when she added a one-under 70 on the second, she went into sole lead after 36 hole for the first time in her career. It was also her first cut of 2023.
On the third day, she did not score as well but bounced back on Sunday with four-under 67 with five birdies and a lone bogey on 17, to move to nine-under overall. That put her into a playoff with Green (69) and Lin (67).
Aditi had a 15-foot putt that lipped out on the 18th in the playoff, ending her bid. Lin made a 12-foot putt, and Green made a 4-footer to stay in the game.
On the second extra hole at No. 18, Lin hit into a bunker and blasted out to some 18 feet and missed the par putt. That left Green to tap in from 2 feet for her first LPGA win since September 2019. “I think I played good today, kind of like the first day, no mistakes,” Ashok said. “Just the bogey on 17. Feels like that’s the shot I left out there. ”
Aditi had a win at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in February and now leads the Race to Costa Del Sol. She was also second once and third once on the LET. Aditi has a week off and is due to play next at the Cognizant Founders Cup. PTI
