High winds blow Indian hopes off track at Women’s Open

By Rahul Banerji

Winds gusting at around 35 miles an hour greeted the field for the 44^th AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon on Thursday with the Indian contingent struggling with conditions.

Starting at staggered intervals, Aditi Ashok was the best placed of the record-making three entrants on 7-over 78 and in a tie for 109^th place.

Tvesa Malik and Diksha Dagar, started at opposite ends of the day and were a shot behind Aditi on 8-over 79s and in a share of 125th place.

In all, just three players in the 144-strong field had sub-par scores as day 1 wound down.

Germany’s Sophia Popov was the initial clubhouse leader on 1-under 70 but Amy Olson of the US came through late with a 4-under 67 to replace her.

Europe’s Solheim Cup-winning captain Catriona Matthew of Scotland was one of ten players on level-par 71 by the end of the day.

Steady start

Aditi made a steady start with four straight pars – good going under the circumstances – but the conditions at the Open soon caught up.

The Rio Olympian dropped a shot on the par-3 fifth hole, had a double and a second bogey to make the turn four over par.

A further three bogeys meant that Aditi would finish in a group of 17 that included Lexi Thompson of the US and Sweden’s Julia Engstrom.

For their part, Tvesa too had a bogey-littered card as did Diksha as they struggled with the wind and the links setup of Royal Troon. The two were on 79s with Diksha pouring in a final-hole birdie.

Earlier, Dame Laura Davies teed off the Open and the tough conditions ensured that the first seven holes were played into the wind. It was only after was an hour of play that the first birdie came along.

According to the Ladies European Tour website, America’s Jessica Korda withdrew this morning due to medical reasons not related to Covid-19, while Solheim Cup player Caroline Masson fired a round of 72 (+1) to set one of the low scores of the morning.

It was a good summary of what the world-class field was facing, and as men’s former world no. 1 and ex-Olympic champion Justin Rose noted in a tweet, it was what was to be expected at a major championship.

Also read: Tvesa Malik out to make most of maiden ‘major’