Aditi all set for big leap

Come Thursday, teenage prodigy Aditi Ashok will be taking a major step in her blossoming career when she tees off at the Oates Victorian Open in Australia.

The 12th standard student of Frank Anthony Public School will finally realise her childhood dream as she will be competing in the tournament as a professional for the first time, hoping to make a bright start following an immensely successful amateur career.

“Ever since I was a child, I always wanted to play professional golf,” Aditi told Deccan Herald before emplaning to Victoria, Australia. “To finally realise my dream makes me feel very good. Nothing is going to change in terms of my game, I’m always going to work as hard as I’ve ever been. Golf has been my biggest passion in life and the fact that I get to do it for a living makes it all the more interesting.”

Aditi, who secured her Ladies European Tour card by triumphing in the Q-School in December, will be competing in two back-to-back events — the other being ISPS Handa New Zealand Open (Feb 12-14) — before taking a month-long sabbatical to complete her board exams.

“I have the skills’

The Bengalurean felt she has the skills to cope with the gruelling pro tour. “I’ve played a lot of LET events during my amateur career, so it’s not going to be completely new to me. I’ve had one top-10 finish and a couple of top-15 finishes on the LET, so I know I have the skills to do well there. I’m going to try and do my best in both the events. The first one is actually an Australian pro tour event where a lot of LET pros play.

“I had a very good 2015 where I exceeded expectations. I’m just going try and recreate it. The goal this season is to keep working hard and keep improving. Knowing that I won the Q-School, I have a good chance at every LET event but at the same time the competition is going to be very very high. This year I’m not concerned about the results, just focussed about the process and my routine. If I do well and win an event, then it’s a bonus but as I said I just want to keep doing the same things that I’ve been doing over the last few years.”