Aditi Ashok won the Qatar Ladies Open in Doha on Saturday. The 18-year-old Indian confirms her new status as a rising star in international women's golf, recording her second straight victory on the Ladies European Tour, just a fortnight after securing her first home victory at the Indian Open Women Hero.

  • Photo: DR
With a total of (-15), the new recruit from the professional circuit from Bangalore, edged three times ahead of Sweden's Caroline Hedwall (-12) and Welshwoman Lydia Hall (-12). “The past few weeks have been a dream come true. I won my first home title at the Indian Open and it gave me confidence for a second title in a row ”, said Aditi, the new leader in professional LET rookies.

Ashok started the final round tied for the lead with Nanna Koerstz Madsen, but quickly gained the upper hand over the leading Dane until play was suspended at 12:09 am due to thunder and lightning on the course.

Aditi Ashok said: “It was really difficult at the start because of the rain. Then we stopped for over an hour and a half and when we came back it was really very windy, but I guess it was the same for everyone. I just wanted to touch the greens and make pars ”

“I played well on the first nine holes and got two birdies on the seven and eight. After that, I created a good number of opportunities on the par-5 of the nine and on the 10. I created enough birdie chances, but it didn't all fit. My goal was to make a blank card and I still made a bogey on 17, but my game remained good overall and I ended up with a birdie on 18. ”

“The first victory was special, because I won at home in India, but I felt that if I played really well here staying under par every day I would have my chances again. I think my game was even better this week and against all odds I won at this week in Qatar, on the same golf course as the men, it was double satisfaction it was difficult to win here, I am serene now for the rest ”

On the French side, the last difficult day, after returning the card the day before, a superb 65 (-7), Jade Schaeffer ends his week in 9th place. Sophie Giquel-Bettan comes out of the top 10 and finishes her tournament in 15th place. Slight comeback for Gwladys Nocera in 22nd place (-3).

The Qatar Ladies Open is the first edition of professional women's golf in the country and was part of the new Middle East series of the Ladies European Tour, integrating events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.