Tokyo Olympics: Golfer Aditi Ashok in medal contention, at 2nd spot after round 2

Indian golfer Aditi Ashok was placed second after round 2 at the Tokyo Olympics women’s event on Thursday. In the second round Ashok carded a five-under 66, bettering her performance from day 1. She is currently four shots behind the top-ranked Nelly Korda of the USA. Ashok had caught the attention of the golfing world at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and is this time hoping to win a medal.

Ashok, who has a total score of 133, is tied on the second spot with two players from Denmark – Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Emily Kristine Pedersen.

In the two rounds, she has only hit one bogey so far and has seemed in good touch.

The 23-year-old Indian was placed well ahead of some big names in women’s golf, including the formidable defending champion, Inbee Park (139).

The 60-player field will play 18 holes each day and there will be no cut, so all players get to play 72 holes.

Ashok kept herself in prime position of delivering a first-ever medal in golf for India with birdies on Hole Nos. 2, 5, 15, 17 and 18.

“The last three holes, I had a couple shots that were just a good number for me and I hadn’t really had any short approaches all day, maybe just a couple,” said Aditi Ashok.

With the competition faced with the possibility of being reduced to 54 holes due to impending thunderstorms over the weekend, the slightly-built Indian knows she needs to keep firing at the flags to ensure what would be a monumental podium finish for Indian golf.

“This whole week there’s going to be so many girls making birdies, especially because the weather’s warm and the conditions are favourable,” she said.

“I think whatever holes I get to play, whether it’s 54 or 72, I’m not really going to sit on anything, I’m just going to try and be as aggressive and make more birdies.”