New Delhi: Indian golfer Aditi Ashok finished fourth at Olympic Games after carding 3-under 68 in the final round. Ashok had been a sensational presence at second place of the table for much of the tournament, giving a country little accustomed to golf a glimpse of rare glory in the sport.
Ranked 200th worldwide, Ashok was in the tied third spot on Saturday, August 7, when a storm disrupted the fourth and final round of the Olympic Games’ golf competition.
India does not have an Olympic medal in the sport but this is the highest an Indian has ever finished in Olympic golf.
Tweets of appreciation and support have begun pouring in from a country that for the first time woke up early to watch a golf match.
@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
🌟 This is an Aditi Ashok appreciation tweet 🌟#Tokyo2020 @aditigolf pic.twitter.com/5U2a1jt1RR
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) August 7, 2021
Well done #AditiAshok. So near and yet so far but that is part of the emotion and learning in sport. You will become a better player for this.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 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
The 23-year-old Bengalurean was 3-under after 16 holes and shared the third position with New Zealand’s Lydia Ko (5-under in 16 holes) when the storm broke out. The two were 15-under overall.
She had started the day at second position.
Overnight leader and world number one Nelly Korda won gold.
Japan’s Mone Inami and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, played off for the silver medal, with the Japanese emerging on top.
(With PTI inputs)