By Rahul Banerji
Star Indian golfer Aditi Ashok took a five-shot lead into day three of the Magical Kenya Ladies Open at Vipingo Ridge on Friday.
The 2016 Hero Women’s Indian Open champion followed her first round six under par 67 with a three under 70 ahead of Thailand’s April Angurasaranee who was on four under par 142.
Aditi, the youngest winner of an international qualifying school when she turned professional in 2016, led the first-day field by four shots and improved on that by one on the second day.
Amandeep Drall and amateur Avani Prashanth were the other Indians to make the cut at the opening tournament of the Ladies European Tour’s 2023 season.
While 2022 Hero Women’s Indian Open joint runner-up Amandeep was in a share of 21st place on two over 148 (74-74) at the Euro 300,000 event, two-time national champion Avani was four over par 150 (75-75) and tied for 33rd place.
Three others – Diksha Dagar (78-80), Vani Kapoor (81-77), and Seher Atwal (81-77) – missed the cut that fell at nine over 155.
Strong performance
Aditi, a three-time LET winner, so far has an eagle and 10 birdies against just three dropped shots over the 36 holes played on the Baobab Course.
Aditi told the LET website after her first round, “It was a great day. I made a lot of putts, had a lot of birdie chances, but converted them too, which is good.
“I missed a two-footer on one hole but apart from that, I think played well all day. Hit some really great shots, a couple of hybrids inside five feet which is better than you expect. Hopefully I can carry that momentum into the morning.
“Playing in the wind is generally something I’m not used to so I maybe I went with the wrong club or went at some pins that I maybe shouldn’t have. I will maybe focus on that and play conservative a few times when the shot doesn’t suit my eye.”
Aditi is a past runner-up at the event in 2019 and said she had good memories of the course from back then.
“I just focus on the positive that I made a lot of birdies last time when I played here and I will try to do the same even though I feel like the conditions are a bit tougher.
“It’s windier and the greens are firm so it’s hard to get the ball close, I still try and feed off those memories of making birdies three years ago.”
Shubhankar well placed
Meanwhile, at the $5 million PIF Saudi International at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club near Jeddah, Shubhankar Sharma was tied 19th after the first two days of the Asian Tour’s season-opener.
With rounds of 67 and 69 at the par 70 course, Shubhankar aggregated four under par 136 to sit alongside former world number one and four-time major winner Brooks Koepka and nine others.
Mexico’s Abraham Ancer led for the second day running on 11 under 129 (63-66) one shot ahead of hard-charging American Cameron Young (65-65), who was 10 under par.
Marc Leishman (68-64) of Australia, South African Louis Oosthuizen (65-67), and Sadom Kaewkanjana (66-66) were tied for third place on eight under par 132.
Teenage Thai star Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat was in shared sixth place a further shot adrift.
Shiv Kapur followed his opening three under 67 with a one-over 71 on day two for a share of 39th place along with Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, DGC Open winner Nitithorn Thippong and six others.
Anirban Lahiri (71-69) and Rashid Khan (70-70) were the other two Indians making the cut on level par 140 while Ajeetesh Sandhu, Gaganjeet Bhullar, and Veer Ahlawat missed out.
They were in good company as Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau did so too.
Also read: Aditi Ashok hits solid Sunday round at Gainbridge for top-15 finish
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