Tokyo Olympics: Solid start by Aditi in women's golf, placed second ahead of big names
Tokyo: Indian golfer Aditi Ashok got off to a brilliant start at the Olympic Games, carding a four-under 67 in the opening round for a share of the second spot at the Kasumigaseki Country Club here on Wednesday.
Aditi, who caught the golfing world's attention five years ago at the Rio Olympics, shared the position with World No. 1 Nelly Korda.
She was one shot behind the leader, Madalene Sagstrom of Sweden, who shot 66.
"I think I played better than I expected today because I had a lot of hybrids into the greens, so I didn't really expect to be like 5-under through 17," Aditi said.
Aditi may well have had a share of the lead but for a bogey on the 18th hole.
While Sagstrom shot a bogey free five-under 66, Aditi had five birdies against one bogey and that on the closing hole.
She was placed well ahead of some big names in women's golf, including the formidable defending champion, Inbee Park (69).
India's other entrant in the field, Diksha Dagar (76) had a rough start in her maiden Olympics as she had five bogeys and no birdies to lie at the tied 56th spot.
The 60-player field will play 18 holes each day and there will be no cut, so all players get to play 72 holes.
Aditi birdied fifth and ninth from 15 feet and seven feet respectively.
On the back nine, she added birdies on the 13th from 15 feet and another from almost 18 feet on 17th.
In between, she had another birdie on 14th from under three feet after a superb approach. Placed at 5-under she bogeyed the last after missing a par from under seven feet.
"But, I kind of holed some (good) putts and holed important par putts as well which kept the momentum. So, yeah, it was a good day," she said.
Five years ago when Aditi got into the Olympics, her father, Ashok, was on the bag and this time around it is was her mother, Maheshwari, who has been a big influence on her.
"Yeah, my mom, she's caddying for me. Last time I had my dad on the bag, so the experience was just so incredible. I was like I want to have my mom next time and I made good on that promise," Aditi said.
Aditi said she was a rookie last time but now has the wealth of experience.
"...I just finished my high school exams and then I was at the Olympics in two months. But this time I think definitely a lot more experience, just playing on the LPGA the last five years makes you way better as a player than I was at Rio.
"And I think the Olympic experience was, I didn't finish as well as I wanted to last time, but just seeing the effect that it had on golf in India was inspiring and that's kind of what motivated me for this one as well."
The 23-year-old from Bengaluru, who has 18 Major appearances, had attracted global attention with a start of 68-68 in the first two rounds at Rio, but then faded to T-41st.
Among others, South Korea's world number two Ko Jin-young , Finland's Matilda Castren and Spaniard Carlota Ciganda were tied fourth after all three carded 3-under 68 each.
The South Korean team also boasts of the reigning Olympic champion Park Inbee (69) and World No. 4 Kim Sei-young (69) who are Tied-7th and sixth-ranked Kim Hyo-joo (70) who is T-16th.
New Zealand's former World number one Lydia Ko (70) was four behind the leader, while Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, a double major winner, stumbled to 77 with six bogeys and is tied for 58th in the 60-player field.
Major winners Feng Shanshan of China and Canadian Brooke Henderson shot 74 each.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
A Healing centre for the ailing; No need to fear even chronic illness!
Dr Hegde of Nisargamane has the solution!
_vb_19.jpeg)
Chronic back, leg, neck or hand pain, abdominal issues, obesity, persistent headaches, nerve problems, depression, insomnia, allergies, mental stress, skin conditions, paralysis and many other health issues troubling you? There’s a solution here even for women's problems like PCOD.
A unique attempt is underway in the midst of the Western Ghats in Uttara Kannada, in the form of a mission to build a “health formula” by slightly changing our lifestyle and diet. Nestled in greenery, Nisargamane Health Centre has become a centre of health attainment for many people.
A health centre that makes us achievers in the pursuit of health, Nisargamane Veda Health Centre is located on the outskirts of Ganeshnagar in Sirsi. It provides solutions for various health problems under one roof.
Yes, Nisargamane Health Centre in Sirsi is today drawing attention not just in Karnataka but across the country. For the past two and a half decades, Dr Venkatrama Hegde and his expert team of doctors and staff have been leading a movement of natural healing, curing patients and inspiring them with new zest for life.
Modern lifestyle has brought along with it many stress-related problems. Nisargamane offers a strong solution for incurable diseases and for health maintenance.
Alongside natural treatment, the centre also offers Panchakarma therapy, nature-based diet, accommodation in cottages close to nature. Dr Hegde has developed a new approach for successful management of difficult autoimmune disorders too.
The centre provides a wide range of treatments including acupuncture, acupressure, mud therapy, massage, steam bath, physiotherapy, dietary therapy, water massage and yoga. Many illnesses are effectively treated here through traditional Indian methods. A family-like atmosphere is consistently maintained here.
Dr Praveen Jacob, who has vast knowledge on health through food, and Dr Venkatesh Gaonkar, an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner, also serve here. Renowned actors, artists, religious heads, politicians, bureaucrats, ministers, MPs, industrialists, and common people have received treatment here and recovered, and continue to do so.
Dr Venkatrama Hegde writes a regular health awareness column in the Vijayavani newspaper. He also shares health-related information through YouTube and WhatsApp groups. His books like Power Diet, Kitchen as Hospital, Food as Medicine, and Home Remedies have reached lakhs of readers.
He has been honoured with the prestigious Aryabhata International Award, Nobel Mand National Award, Parimala Award, and Nammane Award among many others. Dr Hegde has conducted over a thousand health awareness camps so far.
Books like Power Diet, Kitchen as Hospital, Food as Medicine, Home Remedies, Food Health, and Alpha Natural Herbal Medicines are available here. Visitors can book appointments to meet Dr Hegde at 8073320478 or 8970822508.
“My PCOD issue had become so severe that I felt suicide was the only option. I stayed here for ten days and took treatment. Now I feel fine.”
– Suvarna M.K., Bengaluru
“When I came here, I was obese and had back pain. I’ve lost weight, and my diabetes is under control. I feel better now.”
– Neelakantha P., Hubballi
“This place gives me the feeling of being in my maternal home. They treated some of my long-standing health issues. I’ve now resolved to follow this lifestyle as prescribed here.”
– Aarati S.H., Maharashtra
Sponsored Article
