Aditi off to a strong start at Victorian Open

Aditi Ashok gave her professional career a great start with a strong one-over 74 on the tough par-73 Beach Course at the Oates Victorian Open, here on Thursday.

The 17-year-old school student, who will play one more event before taking a break for her examinations, had one birdie and two bogeys that placed her Tied-17.

Aditi is five shots off the leader, Briton Georgia Hall (69), who leads by three over a group of eight players who carded one-under 72.

In an event that is being played over two courses, Aditi played a very steady round on the more difficult Beach Course.  On a windy day when the course also played tough Aditi bogeyed the par-5 fifth. But she quickly made up with a birdie on par-5 11th.

On par-3 17th, where the strong headwind made it particularly difficult, Aditi got a late bogey and ended with 74. Aditi’s second course will be on the Creek Course.

This is Aditi’s professional debut and comes after she won the Ladies European Tour Q-School in December. While the Victorian Open is not an LET event, the field includes legends like Laura Davies and Karrie Webb, both of whom were off-colour and shot 77 each. Hall, often touted as a future star, finished with consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th holes on the Beach Course to shoot a 4 under par round of 69 and will take a three shot lead into on Friday s round at the other course, the Creek Course.