Aditi ends solid Florida run; Nishtha in lead on Cactus Tour

Posted on by admin
Nishtha Madan
File photo of Nishtha Madan, who leads the Apache Creek Dallas Cup in Arizona. Image courtesy Noah Montgomery.

By Rahul Banerji

Aditi Ashok completed a satisfying return to the US LPGA Tour, taking a share of 23rd place at the Drive On Championship in Ocala, Florida, on Sunday.

Aditi, 22, and the only Indian on the flagship women’s pro golf circuit improved on her tied 48th at the Gainsbridge LPGA in Orlando and said she was happy to be back in action.

“Enjoyed competing at @GainbridgeLPGA @LakeNonaGCC and @volvikUSA @GoldenOcala.” Aditi tweeted.

“Looking forward to the west coast in a couple weeks.”

Meanwhile, on the Cactus Tour, Nishtha Madan led the field after the first day of the Apache Creek Dallas Cup at Apache Junction, Arizona.

Clean round

Nishtha carded a 6-under 66 to lead Germany’s Sophie Hausmann by one shot in the three-day event.

The young pro from Delhi picked up four shots on her outbound nine with birdies on the first, fourth, eighth and ninth holes and then kept a clean card on the way back.

Nishtha closed the flawless round with eagle on the par-5 18th hole at the Apache Creek Golf Club for the lead.

Meanwhile, Aditi had rounds of 72, 73, 70 and 72 to finish on 1-under par 287 at the $1.5 million LPGA Drive On Championship won by by Austin Ernst on 15-under.

View original post on Twitter.

It was the American’s third LPGA Tour title and she beat fellow former NCAA champion Jennifer Kupcho by five strokes at the Golden Ocala course on Sunday.

Aditi swapped two bogies for as many birdies in the final round for a level-par card of 72.

At the $2 million Gainbridge LPGA in Orlando that ran from February 25 to 28, Aditi took a share of 48th place with rounds of 74, 71, 74, and 70 to total a 1-over 289.

Career first

Nelly Korda was the winner at Orlando with her fourth LPGA title and the first on US soil,

She followed her sibling, Jessica, who topped the first 2021 event, the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champion.

Korda totalled 16-under, three ahead of Lexi Thompson and Lydia Ko (13-under).

Aditi now heads for California for the March 25 to 28 $1.8 million Kia Classic in Carlsbad to start with.

Next up on the LPGA schedule is the $3.1 million Ana Inspiration at Rancho Mirage from April 1 to 4.

Also read: Aditi Ashok just misses out at Marbella with T2 finish in Costa del Sol Open

Discover more from Tee Time Tales

Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.