Golfer Aditi Ashok wears Bangkok crown

Bangkok, Sep 11:

India’s number one woman amateur golfer Aditi Ashok won the women’s title in the 81st Singha Thailand Amateur Championship at the Par-72 Panya Indra Golf Club here in dramatic style on Friday.

Overnight leader Aditi carded one-over 73 to finish the tournament at two-under 286, five shots ahead of Australian Gennai Goodwin and Thailand’s Chakansim Khamborn.

Bengaluru-based Aditi, 17, opened the final round with bogeys on second and third holes before firing birdie on the 11th and then dropped another shot on 14th followed by a birdie on 16th to claim the title.

It was the third International victory in 2015 for Aditi, the current leader of Indian Golf Union (IGU) ladies order of merit after the St. Rule Trophy at St. Andrews in June and Ladies British Amateur Stroke Play Championship in England last month.

“It feels great to add one more title to the tally this year. I was in control throughout the tournament which was the key for my victory this week. I was leading on all the days, so I am happy that I kept it going to win,” said Aditi.

The other Indian women in the fray, Delhi’s Seher Atwal and Bengaluru’s Anisha Padukone finished 28th and 38th respectively.

In the men’s category, India’s Samarth Dwivedi continued his good form by shooting four-under 68 for a four-day total of one-under 287 to finish sixth, nine shots behind winner Blake Proverbs of Australia.

Two other Indians, Bengaluru’s Jaibir Singh and Jaipur’s Hemendra Choudhary ended the tournament at 43rd and 53rd respectively in a field of 128 players from 12 countries. (IANS)