Indians fell short at Open, but an Arjuna was consolation

By Rahul Banerji

For two days, they battled the elements but could but could not get to grips with the biting wind and cold rain that has battered the AIG Women’s Open field.

And while the Indian contingent may have limped out of contention at the year’s first major, there was cheer in the news that one of them was on the year’s Arjuna Awards list.

In Scotland, Tvesa Malik, Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar finished in that order and well below the cut line of the Women’s Open, unable to cope with the challenging conditions.

It happens. Defending champion Hinako Shibuno did not make the grade either, finishing alongside Tvesa on 12-over par 156 and out of the race.

Aditi and Diksha still had something to look forward to as they had both been put up for the Arjuna Award. In the event, it was the Bangalore girl who got the honour this year in a jumbo list of winners.

“This award obviously means a lot,” Aditi told the Times of India.

“When you start playing a sport, you play to win tournaments and you never think national honours are part of it. But it feels great to have received that honour.”

Long gap

It was the first Arjuna Award for women’s golf in 33 years, and Aditi joined Anjali Desai (1972), Sita Rawlley (1977-78) and Nonita Lal Quereshi (1987) on a very short list (thanks Swami Dada),

The award-winners roll-call announced by the sports ministry – 27 Arjunas, five Khel Ratnas and a ine-up of Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awardees – is already creating heat, but that is another matter.

For the golf fraternity it is a moment of celebration and a first Arjuna in three years since Shiv Shankar Prasad Chawrasia received it in 2017.

The amiable Kolkata golfer was the 15th from the male fraternity to receive the honour in a line dating back to 1961 and the charismatic P.G. ‘Billoo’ Sethi.

Back at Royal Troon near Glasgow, the remaining field that will play into Sunday continue to suffer from the testing conditions that have provided storm-sized winds and a pelting rain.

After Friday, it was Sweden’s Dani Holmqvist, who held the lead at 1-under par 143 after a second day 70.

She was a shot ahead of Austin Ernst and Sophia Popov and two clear of a group good enough to vie for final honours at the $4.5 million event.

And n early action on Saturday, it was Germany’s Popov who had moved into the lead with Australian Minjee Lee two shots behind alongside Thailand’s Jasmine Suwnnapura and Austin Ernst of the United States.

First-round leader Amy Olson struggled during the worst of the conditions on Friday, shooting an 81, the LET website said.  

Also read: High winds blow Indian hopes off track at Women’s Open