By Rahul Banerji
Aditi Ashok’s fortunes continued to sway at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International with the Indian star going into the final day closely trailing event leader Lillia Vu of the United States.
On Moving Day, Aditi added a three under par 69 to her earlier scores of 65 and 66 to share third place with Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen on 16-under 200, two shots behind the leader.
World number one Lydia Ko (64-69-66) held sole second place on 17-under 199 while Vu (198) was the big gainer on the day with a seven under 65 to follow cards of 67 and 66 at the Royal Greens.
Lexi Thompson of the US continued her charge up the leaderboard at the $5 million Ladies European Tour event with the round of the tournament, a flawless nine under 63 that included five birdies on the front nine and the rest on the way back.
Aditi was in contention early on but two dropped shots before the turn allowed Vu and Ko, overnight tied for second, to slip into the lead though she also picked up three shots along the way.
Good run
The Bangalore star then added another brace of birdies to round off another excellent day on the course to follow her brisk start to the season.
After her 66 on Friday, Aditi told the LET website, “Whenever I stepped to the ball, I just knew the ball was going in.
“It was just one of those days where everything works in your favour. The front nine was definitely like that.
“On 18, I was just trying to aim a little left because the wind was off the left for that birdie shot.
“I struggled a bit on my short game in general the past three weeks, but I think my bunker shots have been the best part so far of my short game.
“I was kind of happy that I hit it two on, but I missed, and I had a bunker shot. That was kind of the play for me.
“It was just a perfect shot and one of those days where the ball wants to get in the hole.”
Aditi, who leads the Race to Costa del Sol rankings with her win in Kenya and a third place subsequently, added: “I hope I just keep giving myself the birdie putts I’ve been giving the past two days.
“More birdie chances and more birdie putts, that favours my style of golf.
“Hitting fairways and greens keeps the big numbers out of play and keeps the mistakes off the card, so just trying to do more of that.”
Also read: Aditi Ashok storms into Saudi Ladies International day two lead
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