Golfer Aditi sparkles in final round, finishes creditable 26th

Phoenix (US), March 19

Indian golfer Aditi Ashok seemed to have regained her form on the final day as she carded six birdies enroute to a week’s best card of four-under 68 to finish T-26 at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup on the LPGA here.

The 19-year-old Indian, playing her second season on the LPGA, was making her first start since missing one in Australia at the beginning of the year. She had three birdies against one bogey on either side of the turn and took her total from four-under 212 and Tied-50^th place to eight-under 280 and Tied-26^th place, which gave her a decent start and a cheque of USD 12,697.

After this week she plans to play as much as possible for next few months.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Inbee Park built on her solid 54-hole position to complete her 19^th LPGA win.

On Sunday, she had four birdies in a row beginning on No. 12 on back nine to win by five strokes over 54-year-old Laura Davies, Ariya Jutanugarn and Marina Alex.

Inbee (67) finished at 19-under-par 269, Davies, Ariya and Marina were 14-under, In Gee Chun and Megan Khang tied for fifth at 275.

Inbee now has 19 LPGA wins including seven majors championships – she has won four of the five majors – and an Olympic gold medal. She has already been inducted into Hall of Fame at age 27.

She was also the torchbearer at the recent Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.

Dame Laura continues to astound at 54. Her last LPGA win was in 2001 and she was trying to become the oldest tour winner – by 8 years. Davies has 20 LPGA wins; four majors championships and 84 wins worldwide. PTI