Aditi Ashok looks to maintain good run of form in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Aditi Ashok is all geared up for the first-ever women’s professional golf tournament at Abu Dhabi as she is ready to tee off at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club at Abu Dhabi this week. The 18-year-old rising star, who is trying to find a place for herself among the elite women golfers, is certain to keep her Ladies European Tour card for 2017, and is making a bid for the Rookie of the Year honours, where she lies in third spot currently. She is 31st overall in the Merit List. [caption id=“attachment_3083222” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of Aditi Ashok. AFP[/caption] LET Rookie Aditi, who represented India in the Olympic Games in Rio in August, said, “I think it’s important that the women play here, because the men have had events for a really long time. This is the first women’s professional golf event here in Abu Dhabi and there are some great golf courses. “It’s a really golf friendly region. The weather is great and it’s a really nice golf course so I’m enjoying it.” Elaborating on the golf course, she said, “I love the greens; they are really huge. You need to hit the ball into the right spot on every hole. Some of the holes are easy, but the pin position can make it a birdie hole or a par. I’ve had top 10s coming all the way here, so I’m trying to do better and hopefully play well every day and reach the top.” Aditi, who made the cut at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia last week, is also on a streak of four top-10s in her last four starts on the LET. Aditi, who won the LET Q-School late last year to earn a card to the Tour, was tied-9 in ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters in Germany; sixth in Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana Femenino in Spain; tied-10 in Lacoste Ladies Open de France and tied-8 in Xiamen Ladies International Open. This year Aditi also qualified for the Ricoh Women’s British Open. She has made cuts in seven of the nine starts and is widely touted a star in the making in Europe. The field of 126 includes all the leading players, including past Hero Women’s Indian Open winners, Laura Davies, Gwladys Nocera, Caroline Hedwall and the 2015 champion Emily Pedersen. Besides them the field includes Beth Allen, Anne Van Damm, Carly Booth, Florentyna Parker, Valentine Derry, Belen Mozo and Amy Boulden. The Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open will take place from 2-5 November at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.