New Delhi: Aditi Ashok will lead the Indian challenge at the 10th edition of the Hero women’s Indian Open that tees off at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon on Friday.
She will be joined by Order of Merit leader on the Indian women’s tour Amandeep Drall and Vani Kapoor besides others in the field of 114 for the $400,000 event that is co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the Women’s Golf Association of India.
Emily Pedersen is back to defend her title along with world no. 40 and two-time major winner Brittany Lincicome, LET leader Beth Allen, LET no. 5 Isabelle Boineau and Anne van Dam, winner of the recent Xiamen International Open.
Aditi is currently third on the LET rookie standings after a series of top 120 finishes and an impressive run at the Rio Olympic Games.
“My form has been very good coming into the tournament,” she said on the day. “I have prepared well this time around. I have also had a few top 10 finishes and I feel that I have improved as a player since the beginning of the year. Hopefully, I will do well at my home event.”
Said Emily at a pre-tournament media interaction at the venue on Wednesday, “It feels great to be back. I won my maiden title here last year, so I have lots of good memories here.
“There are few changes on the course, its playing really well. 17th green is definitely bigger, so I am looking forward to the tournament.”
Vani too is in good shape and form with a shared fifth finish at the Hong Kong Ladies Open and second place in the Hero Order of Merit with six victories. This is her home course and she, Aditi and a number of Indian professionals will be keen to make a mark on what is effectively home ground.
