In a spectacular showcase of talent, Indian golfer Aditi Ashok played an outstanding third round, scoring 11-under 61, positioning herself as a strong contender for the gold medal in the Asian Games' golf event on Saturday.
Sitting comfortably seven shots ahead of her nearest competitor, Aditi's performance also elevated the Indian women’s team to pole position, with a slender lead over Thailand.
This could be a monumental achievement for Indian women in golf, considering they have yet to win a medal at the Asian Games. For context, Aditi’s 2014 Asian Games journey ended with her at the 21st position.
Aditi's score stood out on the day, outdoing the next best round by a notable five shots.
The other Indian participants, Pranavi Urs and Avani Prashanth, currently stand at 11th and tied 19th positions, respectively.
However, the men’s side witnessed a tougher day. Anirban Lahiri faced a challenging day on the greens, scoring 2-over 74. The leaderboard for men is led by Hong Kong's Taichi Kho, followed closely by Taipei's Chien-Yao Hung and Korea’s Jang Yubin.
India's male golfers seem distant from a podium finish as they currently rank eighth, significantly behind leaders like Korea, Thailand, and Hong Kong.
Aditi, who narrowly missed a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, has dominated the tournament with scores of 67-66-61, totaling 22-under after three rounds. China’s Lin Xiyu and Aditi's nearest challenger, Arpichaya Yubol, follow her closely.
The stellar round from Aditi, complemented by Pranavi Urs’ 2-under 70, has provided the Indian women's team a pivotal lead against top contenders like Thailand, China, Korea, and Japan.
Aditi's third round was a masterclass in precision and control. After starting with a birdie, she continued her onslaught with further birdies and an eagle. Her only blemish came in the second round, a testament to her consistency and form.
The final stages promise intense competition, but with Aditi's current form, a historic gold seems within grasp for India.
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