Indian Open: Young Ashok tumbles to 11th position in second round
Indian Aditi Ashok switched to a jittery mode in the second round of the Hero Women’s Indian Open 2012 as she shot a 74 to tumble to a tie for 11th position from her first-round
lead.
It was a dramatic change in Ashok’s position on the leaderboard, as the 14-year-old stunned rivals and spectators at DLF Golf & Country Club on Friday after she stormed to the first position
along with Becky Brewerton of Wales and Stefania Croce.
Ashok carded a 69 in the first round, indicating that she was going to keep the pressure intact in the final three rounds as well.
However, the second round saw her falter on many holes and her putting looked shaken.
She started on the front nine on Saturday and looked fired up before she teed off. She parred the first four holes in a row and carded two straight bogeys. She tried to regain her momentum,
but all her efforts could garner was another three pars.
On the back nine, the Indian teenager improved her game a little as she registered three birdies and three bogeys, which did not help her boost position on the leaderboard.
At the end of the first round, Ashok’s confidence was high as she said while talking to the media that her performance has improved lately and she is now in a position to rattle experienced
players.
“I won a professional event last year so I think that’s given me some of the experience I needed to play well today,” said the young gun who finished first at the Hero Women's Professional
Golf Tour in 2010 against professional Smriti Mehra.
“I gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities. I have a good short game and it went well today. My approach shots were also good”.
Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand, who is two-time winner of the Ladies European Tour (LET) tournament, stepped her campaign and posted a sizzling 65 in the second round to share the lead with
Aussie Bree Arthur.
Swedish Caroline Hedwall, who is defending her title, matched strides with top-ranked contenders in the second round as she shot a 62, taking a steep jump to the solo third position.
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