By a Correspondent
Tokyo: Aditi Ashok continued to produce some phenomenal golf to be on the cusp of a historic medal for India at the Tokyo Olympic Games with a polished performance on Friday.
The 23-year-old ground out a 3-under par 68 in the third round of the women’s golf competition at Kasumigaseki Country Club for sole second place on 12-under 201, three shots back of leader Nelly Korda of the US.
Aditi also pulled two clear of a group of four, Japan’s Mone Inami, Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark, Australian Hannah Green and New Zealander Lydia Ko, who share third place on 10-under 203s with 18 holes remaining on Saturday.
Young Diksha Dagar continued to climb in the standings, up two places on Friday to tied 51st with a 7-over total (76-72-72).
The final round tee times have been set from 6:30 am to 8:23 am (Tokyo time), with officials sending players to the course an hour earlier than third-round play to get out in front of potential bad weather.
High stakes
Following the return of golf to the Olympic programme in 2016, no Indian golfer has won a medal and Aditi knows fully well what a podium finish would mean for the game at home.
However, she plans to stick to a one shot at a time routine when she joins Korda for the second successive day in the final group which will include Lydia Ko, the silver medallist in Rio.
“One more day of golf and a lot happens on the final day, Although it’s just one round, it feels long mentally, so definitely staying patient and hoping we have good weather tomorrow,” she said.
Aditi knows all eyes will be on her during the final round but is taking the pressure in her stride.
“Nobody really follows golf as such. And whenever the Olympics comes around, it’s always because we had sports where we were actually really good, like hockey, where we used to win gold medals all the time.
“I think with golf being in the second time, I think people are a lot more educated and trying to follow it a lot more,” the Bangalore girl said.
“For sure (there will be pressure) but I’m not thinking about it that much.
“No matter how do I this week, people have heard about golf and they continue to tune in if they have extended the golf coverage in India because I’m in the top 3.
“That’s good in itself. People seeing golf instead of the other sports, it’s always good to get more people aware of the game.”
Her glorious run through three rounds has been especially pleasing as Aditi has not regained her full speed and strength after coming down with Covid-19 in May.
Her driving distances are some 15 metres shorter than usual – she’s ranked 59th among the 60 golfers this week – which has seen her rely on her trusty rescue club.
She also ranks first in Strokes Gained: Putting, picking nine strokes over the field.
Draining experience
“It took a little bit of strength out of me. I was always short but not like 50 (yards) behind Nelly.
“Apart from the distance, this year has been kind of the best I’ve had with my short game, my putting, the rest of my game has been fantastic. It’s been one of the best years,” she said.
With her mother, Maheshwari on caddie duties this week – her father was on the bag in Rio – Aditi has enjoyed their time together and even thinks her good run in Tokyo has been due to girl power.
“She’s doing great. It’s funny, this is the best I’ve played all year. My dad’s enjoying watching me on TV and enjoys listening to Bones (Jim McKay) commentate on my game. So that’s been cool. My mom has obviously done a great job,” said Aditi.
She has received tremendous support from home, including from PGA Tour star Anirban Lahiri who tweeted a message of support on Thursday. Irrespective of how she finishes on Saturday, Aditi knows her run in Tokyo has helped golf gain more golf fans in India.
“They’re like, Oh, the girl did well and that’s that (in Rio). But I think within the golfing population it definitely stirred up some interest.
“A lot more girls are trying to pick it up and either go to college golf or try and play Q-Schools, whether LET or LPGA,” said Aditi, a three-time Ladies European Tour winner and the lone Indian golfer on the LPGA Tour.
“A lot of people are trying to figure out golf and top-3 and tied second and they’re trying to figure out what would win a medal.
“And that’s all really cool and I think it’s really cool that golf is in the Olympics and we have that chance, because otherwise so many people would never pay attention to golf, let alone men’s and women’s separately.”
Also read: Aditi Ashok signals Tokyo medal intentions with an opening 67
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Interesting read. Best wishes to Aditi.