India boasts trio of golfers for first time ever at LPGA event

Indian golfers Aditi Ashok, Tvesa Malik and Diksha Dagar endured a challenging opening day at the Ladies Scottish Open on Thursday.

At the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, Tvesa Malik was the best performer among the Indians as she managed an even-par card to share the 22nd spot on the leaderboard at the end of the opening round.

While Rio Olympian Aditi Ashok carded two-over 73 for tied-48, Diksha Dagar found it hard to make any significant impact with a seven-over 78 performance that sees her sit at the 120th position.

It was the first time that three Indian women golfers teed up at an LPGA event together.

Playing only her second season since turning pro, Tvesa Malik struggled to trust her swing initially but the Gurugram golfer grew in confidence as the round progressed and came up with a commendable show to keep herself in contention.

The young Indian began her campaign with a bogey on the opening hole but picked up the pace with birdies on the fourth and the sixth. But the advantage didn’t last long as another bogey on the par-four eighth saw her fall back.

Though she got off to a fine start on the back nine by birding a 400-yarder on the 11th, she found it hard to build on the run as a bogey on the final hole saw her undo the good work and settle for an even-par score.

Below-par show

Meanwhile, Aditi Ashok’s return to the golf course after a lengthy break due to COVID-19 pandemic didn’t go as per plan. Her opening round comprised two birdies and four bogeys that saw her struggle to climb up a crowded leaderboard.

Diksha Dagar too suffered a similar fate with a birdie-less round seeing her significantly drop down the order. 

The Indians will hope to be on top of their game on Friday if they are to make the cut for the weekend at the Ladies Scottish Open, a Ladies European Tour event co-sanctioned by the LPGA.