JOIN USAditi mops away Anisha for title
Aditi Ashok gave another fine display of her talent, brushing aside Anisha Padukone to complete a historic hat-trick in the Usha-IGU All-India Ladies and Junior Girls Golf Championship here on Sunday.
At the Eagleton Golf Resort, Aditi was simply too good for surprise finallist Anisha with the 16-year-old wrapping up a thumping 8&7 victory. Aditi, who won the stroke play title a few days ago, became the first person to claim the junior and ladies’ crown as well. “It feels great to win the stroke play and match play,” said a delighted Aditi. “To do a double is something that I’d been aspiring and it feels awesome. I’ve won them individually but never together. This will always remain special to me.”
Determined to achieve her goal, Aditi was in a destructive mood from the word go. Playing against her friend, Aditi set aside pleasantries as she went about her job like a seasoned pro to cap what has been another sizzling season. Rarely going off radar on a course that she knows well, Aditi struck the ball beautifully throughout the day and backed that up with some superb short game to outplay Anisha.
She went 1-up as early as on the third hole with a fine 10-foot birdie and was 2-up soon when Anisha bogeyed the fifth. Aditi won the ninth with a 12-footer birdie while Anisha bogeyed for the second time to lose the 12th. Aditi then opened up a commanding five-hole advantage with her third birdie on the 13th.
With pressure rising, 23-year-old Anisha hauled herself back with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to head for the interval just three holes down.
Aditi, however, returned from the break hungrier. Seemingly in a mood to wrap things up at the earliest, Aditi won the 19th, 20th, 21st and 24th holes to go 7-up to all but assure herself of the crown with 12 holes left.
Facing a Herculean challenge, Anisha delayed the inevitable, winning the 25th. But Aditi then claimed the 28th and 29th holes, sinking a brilliant 20-foot birdie on her final hole for a cherished win.
Anisha said she was thrilled with her performance. “I’m glad with the way I’ve played throughout the tournament but disappointed I was not able to push Aditi hard enough today. I will carry a lot of confidence with this performance.”