By Rahul Banerji
India’s Tokyo Olympic star Aditi Ashok made a flying start to her 2022 season with a robust opening 6-under par 66 at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio on Thursday.
New Zealand legend Lydia Ko led the field with her opening 9-under 63, two ahead of Hilton Grand Vacations event winner Danielle Kang and three up on Aditi.
The 23-year-old Indian ace had a brace of birdies on her front nine and a further five on her way back before dropping her only shot of the day on the 18th,
Aditi hit 17 consecutive greens in regulation before the par-4 18th halted her error-free run.
She has added a new Callaway 5-hybrid to the bag to start the season and it paid dividends on the “really long” track, lpga.com said.
“Last time (at Boca Rio) I missed the cut, but I remember it being really long,” Aditi told the tour website.
Good inputs
“This time I was kind of focused on playing the long holes good and worked on my hybrids a lot the last three, four days.
“That helped because I know I’m going to get at least five or six hybrids, maybe more, into greens.
“Being able to hit those close and make birdies with hybrids was good for me.
“I actually made, I think three or four birdies today with a 5-hybrid (approach), which is great for me. Wish I would’ve added it sooner in my career, but better late than never.”
Making her LPGA debut, Nishtha Madan was tied for 113th place on 5-over par 77 at the Boca Raton venue in Florida.
Seven players were tied for fourth place including 2021 US Women’s Open winner Yuka Saso. Defending champion Nelly Korda was 2-under for the opening day.
Also read: Aditi, Anirban, Shubhankar, Tvesa, Diksha included in TOPS list
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