India’s Aditi Ashok clinched her second consecutive title at the history-making Qatar Ladies Open after a day of drama in the Ladies European Tour (LET) event at Doha Golf Club.
The 18-year-old shot a closing round of 69 to claim the trophy on 15-under, her second professional win, just a fortnight after she became the first Indian player to win on the LET at her home event, the Hero Women’s Indian Open.
Swede Caroline Hedwall fired a superb 67 in tough conditions to finish as joint runner-up with Lydia Hall on 12-under, while overnight co-leader Nanna Koerstz Madsen dropped to fourth on 11-under after a one-over par round of 73. England’s Annabel Dimmock secured a top-five finish, carding 10-under for the tournament.
Ashok’s magical triumph came after morning thunderstorms hit the course, resulting in a stoppage of play and uncertainty of when it would resume as dark clouds shrouded the Doha skies.
However, a birdie on the eighth after the restart and a double-bogey from Madsen on the ninth put Ashok four shots ahead at the turn, and it was then when the Indian star began to take control of the tournament.
Her biggest threat on the back nine came from Hedwall, who treated fans to a feast of birdies and made a late surge up the leader board, but ultimately it was not enough to catch Ashok, who ended her magnificent week sinking a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th green.
Ashok said: “It’s been a great few weeks. I won my home event in the Indian Open, which was my first win. To win back-to-back events feels really good.
“It was really difficult at the start because of the rain. Then we stopped for more than an hour and a half and when we got back it was really windy, so that was difficult, but I guess it was the same for everybody. I was trying to hit greens and make pars. I made a birdie on the last and it was good.
“The first win was special, because I won in India, but I felt I played really well here and had to play well every day and shoot sub-par rounds. I think my game was better this week and obviously to win in the Qatar, the golf course is the same as the men’s, so I know it’s challenging and to win here feels good.”
Despite a bogey on 18 finishing her title hopes, five-time winner on tour Hedwall came away with positives from a week that saw her match her best performance of the season.
The 27-year-old said: “I still felt far behind but I had a shot on the last. It was unfortunate that my second shot ended up in the bunker, because it was so wet in there so it was hard to get out. I gave it a go and I’m really happy with five-under today and second place.”
The dramatic day was a fitting end to the inaugural Qatar Ladies Open, a historical event as the country’s first professional women’s golf tournament. Even the rain failed to dampen the spirits of the crowds, who swept through the gates and avidly followed the final day leaders around the course.
Hassan Nasser Al Naimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association, said: “The Qatar Golf Association is proud to celebrate the resounding success of the inaugural Qatar Ladies Open.
“With an action-packed week of world-class golf, culminated by today’s thrilling finale and deserving winner, these LET stars have proved that this event is one of the most important women’s tournaments on the international golf tour.
“Furthermore, the addition of this Olympic sport to Qatar’s events calendar is in line with our Qatar National Vision 2030, further cementing Qatar’s position as a global sporting hub, and playing an integral role in inspiring the next generation and developing the game across the country.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the world’s best female golfers and fans back to Doha in 2017.”
