Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7

The 23-year-old Indian golfer, Aditi Ashok, who finished a creditable fourth in the Tokyo Olympics, drew praise from the young and old golfers of the city with legendary Jeev Milkha Singh leading his ilk in wishing her.

Explaining her feat as “exceptional”, Jeev said Aditi had shown great strength and boosted the morale of the country’s young golfers.

“She has given the best performance. She has done something exceptionally well. She has age by her side and she is definitely going to take India to new heights,” said the ace golfer.

“Her finish at the Tokyo Olympics will surely boost the youngsters and promote the sport,” an elated Jeev added.

Aditi, who had been one of the most consistent golfers in the first three rounds, missed out on a medal by whisker as she finished just two shots behind the gold medallist Nelly Korda of the USA. Aditi’s fourth place finish is the best by an Indian in the Olympics. She shot a 3-under 68 in the fourth and final round today.

“It was a flawless round. She carried her game well. The country is proud of her and all the golfers of India are proud of her. She shouldn’t be disheartened and should keep working hard. She is an amazing gofer,” said Jeev.

“The fourth-place finish by Aditi is as good as a podium finish,” said former India golfer and Arjuna awardee Harmeet Kahlon.

“It is a watershed moment for the Indian golf and will encourage hundreds of young girls and boys to pick up the sport,” he said.

“With Aditi’s fantastic performance, India has arrived on the world golf map and it will help put golf in the list of priority disciplines for the 2024 Paris Games, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games,” Kahlon added.

Meanwhile, city’s young golfers Karandeep Kochhar and Aadil Bedi, who have played alongside Aditi in various national and international events in the past, also congratulated her.

“We have played together at the junior level. It’s motivating to see young Aditi playing so well. This performance will boost the youngsters in forthcoming international events,” said Bedi.