Tokyo Olympics
Judging from the unprecedented viewer interest in the live telecast of the final round of the Olympic women’s golf competition where Sony brought in a Hindi commentary team, and the fact that Aditi was trending on Twitter in India, this is undoubtedly the highest impact golf performance in the history of the game in India. Even the international commentary team and the world golf and sports media could not have praised Aditi’s nerveless performance more than they did over the past weekend. Undoubtedly this was the moment that everyone in Indian golf has been waiting for – our golden moment.
As Aditi matched the World No 1 Nelly Korda shot for shot while the world watched the live telecast over the two days they played together, she never faltered and made no unforced errors despite the intense pressure on her 23 year old shoulders winning hearts and minds of Indian and global fans everywhere.
Not only were her scores of 67-66-68-68 for a total of 15-under 269 world class, her putting statistics were in another world compared to the rest of the stellar field. She picked up an amazing 13 strokes gained putting compared to the rest of the field for the week, a feat that has only been matched once in the history of the PGA Tour.
Aditi Ashok finished the Olympics with 13.02 strokes gained putting, by far the most of any player in the field.
How good is that? Only one player all season on the PGA Tour has gained 13+ strokes in a single tournament on the greens (Brice Garnett, Travelers).
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) August 7, 2021
All this was made more commendable, when during the telecast, viewers became aware that Aditi had contracted Covid in May, when she was forced to return to India from USA so she could get her UK visa to be able to play some big events in UK in July-August. Prior to this trip back to India, Aditi had made a commendable 9 consecutive cuts on the super tough LPGA tour. However after returning to the US, she missed 4 cuts in 5 events played, lost around 15-20 yards on her drive due to loss of strength due to Covid. This running around for Visas is a serious disadvantage for Indian athletes compared to their competitors and perhaps the Indian govt can create a special help line to assist Indian sportspersons obtain visas through diplomatic efforts of their embassies worldwide. If Aditi could have got her UK Visa in USA and not have to return to India, she might have been spared Covid and kept her momentum in America.
For anyone who missed seeing the fabulous congratulatory messages to Aditi, we have presented various links below for your convenience. Watch them at leisure and enjoy this long awaited moment in Indian golf history.
Reactions on social media to Aditi’s performance
Aditi received messages from President Ramnath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sachin Tendulkar, shooting Gold Medallist Abhinav Bindra and many others.
Well played, Aditi Ashok! One more daughter of India makes her mark!
You have taken Indian golfing to new heights by today’s historic performance. You have played with immense calm and poise. Congratulations for the impressive display of grit and skills.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 7, 2021
I would like to laud golfer @aditigolf for her remarkable performance at the #TokyoOlympics. The entire nation witnessed her exceptional golfing skills throughout the tournament. She has become a shining example of hard work & perseverance. My best wishes for her bright future.
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) August 7, 2021
Well played @aditigolf! You have shown tremendous skill and resolve during #Tokyo2020. A medal was narrowly missed but you’ve gone farther than any Indian and blazed a trail. Best wishes for your future endeavours.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2021
Wonderful effort Aditi, well done.👏🏻
You missed a medal by a whisker but have managed to do something even bigger; make the nation pause & take note about golf ⛳🏌️♂️at the #Olympics!#Tokyo2020 #Golf pic.twitter.com/xWM0bpcbvk
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 7, 2021
Excellent composure & perseverance shown by @aditigolf throughout the last 4 days. Ranked 200th at the start of #Tokyo2020 to finishing fourth at the #Olympics, an absolutely incredible performance!You have made the whole country proud today! I’m a fan for life !
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 7, 2021
Awesome. Inspiring. Historic.
With her mom on the bag, a hot putter and support from the the entire country of 🇮🇳 India, @aditigolf finished 4th on golf’s biggest stage.#Olympics #Golf pic.twitter.com/k43G0vCzNu
— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 7, 2021
#TeamIndia | #Tokyo2020 | #Golf
Women’s Individual Stroke Play ResultsFrom 41st in #Rio2016 to 4th Rank and Diploma here @Tokyo2020 What incredible golf from Aditi Ashok in the last 4 days! Congratulations @aditigolf 👏🙌 #RukengeNahi #EkIndiaTeamIndia #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/6LW1mUwY2L
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) August 7, 2021
It’s been amazing what you have done over the past three days, @aditigolf. So proud of you and wishing you all the best for the final round of @OlympicGolf. Just keep doing what you have done and enjoy the walk. The whole of India will be praying for you. #Olympics
— Jeev Milkha Singh (@JeevMilkhaSingh) August 6, 2021
@aditigolf you did everything you could and put it all out there. There may not be a medal to show but people in India will know the sport we love thanks to your effort and heart. Great performance 👏🏻 Let’s see some public courses and driving ranges please. The kids need it.
— Anirban Lahiri (@anirbangolf) August 7, 2021
Thanks to all those who watched me play and showed their support especially from my home country 🇮🇳. No words can express the gratitude feel towards everybody who woke up early to watch me play. I hope everybody who watched golf for the first time enjoyed it. ⛳️🏌🏻♀️ pic.twitter.com/JdfuB91lQ4
— Aditi Ashok (@aditigolf) August 8, 2021
Nelly Korda – Gold Medallist
Even Gold Medallist, Nelly Korda was in awe of Aditi’s putting prowess and said, “She putts incredibly well, she rolls it really nicely and there’s this kind of confidence she has on the putting green. She has some kind of swag on the putting green and she owns it.”
Talking about her near misses on the final two holes, Aditi said, “Yeah, 17 was perfect. I hit it exactly the speed I wanted, the line I wanted, I just — maybe I made too many through the four rounds, golfing gods were like okay, we’re not going to give her this one. But no, I just tried my best, even the last hole, although it was really out of range, it was a long putt, but I still gave it a chance. So yeah, I think I gave it my best attempt.
Onwards and upwards, @aditigolf! 🙌
Aditi Ashok talks about coming agonizingly close to a podium finish, and everything she learned on her incredible journey! 💔 #Tokyo2020 | #StrongerTogether | #Golf | #BestOfTokyo pic.twitter.com/CZeG056PWK
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) August 7, 2021
India Golf Weekly Editor, Rishi Narain, was asked to comment on a Live news broadcast by India Today. Watch the short interview here:
Golfer #AditiAshok finished 4th after an inspiring performance in #Tokyo. Here’s what Rishi Narain, former Asian games gold medalist, has to say about her performance.
(@Chaiti )#TokyoOlympics #Olympics2020 #IndiaTodayatOlympics #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/wG06DEHJvJ— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) August 7, 2021
Aditi even had a message for young golfers, who are looking to pick up the sport, “When I started golf I never dreamt of being or contending at the Olympics, golf wasn’t even an Olympic sport. So sometimes you just pick it up and work hard and have fun every day and sometimes you get here.”
Aditi has no plans of taking a break as she heads straight towards Scotland for the US$ 1.5mn Women’s Scottish Open at Dumbarnie Links from August 12-15.
(Aditi’s Quotes by Chua Choo Chiang on behalf of International Golf Federation).