Aditi Ashok has punched her ticket to the AIG Women’s British Open after a stellar showing in the qualifiers. By shooting a two-under 68 at Panmure Golf Club, she finished second and secured her entry. This follows her standout performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where the 23-year-old finished fourth, marking one of the proudest moments for Indian golf on the world stage.
Aditi was one of two Indian women fighting for a limited pool of 15 qualifying spots. While Aditi successfully clinched second place, Tvesa Malik finished T-29th, meaning she won't be joining the tournament. The action will take place from August 19th to 22nd at Carnoustie Golf Links, which is situated just three miles away from the Panmure qualifying site.
Carnoustie Golf Links is a legendary venue, ranking as the 16th oldest golf club in existence. It has a rich history of hosting Major tournaments, such as the Women’s British Open back in 2011. Golfers should expect a tough challenge here, as the course is famous for its tight, unforgiving fairways.
With this event, Aditi increases her total number of Major appearances to 19, adding to the 18 she had after playing the Amundi Evian Championship last month. This will be her fourth Major of the current season—a milestone that makes her the most experienced Indian golfer (male or female) in terms of Major tournament appearances. It is worth noting that the women's circuit features five Majors annually, compared to four on the men's side.
Aditi's career highlight in the Majors so far was a T-22 finish at the 2018 Open at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. This will be her fifth time competing in the Women’s Open. Her path to second place wasn't easy; after being one-over through 12 holes, she fought back to finish at 2-under. She narrowly missed the top spot, finishing just one shot behind American Lindsey Weaver, while a group including Nicole Larsen Broch, Kirsten Rudgeley, Magdalena Simmermacher, and Cheng Ssu Chia tied for third at 1-under.
Former Indian golf pro Jeev Milkha Singh previously lauded Aditi for her courage and skill during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She made history there, finishing fourth in the women’s individual stroke play with an impressive total of 15-under 269, trailing the gold medalist Nelly Korda by only two strokes. Aditi's journey has been a steady climb; she debuted at the Rio Games at just 18 years old, finishing 41st. By 2016, she became the first Indian woman to win a European Tour title. Her success has not only elevated the profile of golf in India but has also inspired a new generation of young athletes.