Another triple whammy by India’s trio of golfing divas

By Rahul Banerji

For the first time, three Indians – Aditi Ashok, Tvesa Malik and Diksha Dagar – will appear at a golf major together, it was confirmed on Saturday.

While Aditi and Diksha were already in the AIG Women’s Open field, Tvesa made the cut at the ongoing Ladies Scottish Open to seal one of the available slots.

Tvesa was in fact the only one of the three into the weekend rounds at North Berwick and completed her Sunday round at the $1.5 million event with a 1-over par 72.

It gave her a 12-over aggregate of 296 (71-74-79-72) and 65^th place in the standings with the battle at the top of the order very much still in progress.

“In the absence of a qualifying tournament, the final 22 places were on offer at Renaissance Golf Club with the top performing players who make the cut, and who are not already exempt, qualifying,” the Ladies European Tour website said.

“Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson claimed the first of 22 qualifying spots for the AIG Women’s Open, recording rounds of 70 and 71 over the first two days at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open.

“As it played out, 15 players that were not already exempt made the cut with the likes of Scotland’s Kylie Henry and Michele Thomson part of the group to book their place at Royal Troon…

‘Open debut’

“Other notable LET members to qualify include England’s Eleanor Givens, Welshwoman Becky Morgan and India’s Tvesa Malik, who will be making her Women’s Open debut.”

The AIG Women’s Open or Women’s British Open is one of the five majors besides the ANA Inspiration, Women’s PGA Championship,  US Women’s Open and the Evian Championship.

“China’s Muni He also booked her first visit to the Women’s Open along with LPGA rookie, Haley Moore, who has been impressing in the USA,” the LET noted.

“The remaining seven spots were then awarded to the highest Rolex Ranked players, who were not already exempt and missed the cut, which enabled former Solheim Cup player Alison Lee, Australian Sarah Kemp and former Women’s Open Smyth Salver winner Luna Sobron Galmes to qualify.

“In total, 12 nationalities were represented from the 22 qualifiers,” the LET said.

Despite their far longer presence on the professional circuit, India’s men golfers are yet to put three players together into the field for any of the four majors.

At the Ladies Scottish Open, Americans Stacy Lewis and Jennifer Song were involved in a tight battle for top honours and tied at 8-under for the event after seven holes on Sunday.

And at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales, Shubhankar Sharma rounded off his Celtic Classic weekend with a level par round of 71.

It gave him a four-day aggregate of 2-under 282 (71-70-70-71) and 63^rd place in the standings.

Also read: Aditi, Diksha, Tvesa make first-time Indian trio at LPGA event