Asian Games 2023: Aditi Ashok clinches historic silver in golf, women’s team misses out on podium finish

The youngster is the first Indian woman to medal in golf at Asian Games.

India’s Aditi Ashok etched her name in history books after securing India’s first-ever medal in golf as a women’s professional at the ongoing Asian Games 2023, in Hangzhou, on Sunday (October 1). The 25-year-old had raised expectations of clinching a gold medal in the women’s individual golf competition with a sublime 11-under 61 score in the penultimate round to take a massive seven shot lead.

However, Aditi could not replicate her third round heroics and had to settle for a silver medal after a five-over 77 at the West Lake International course.

Thailand’s Yubol Archipaya pocketed the gold medal after carding a strong four-under 68 in a high pressure situation. Yubol’s four-day tally read 19-under 269, two strokes ahead of Aditi. South Korea’s Hyunjo Yoo took home the bronze medal with an overall score of 16-under 272.

The Indian women’s team comprising Aditi, Pranavi Sharath Urs and Avani Prashanth missed out on a medal by two shots with a total score of 22-under 554. Both Pranavi and Avani had disappointing rounds on Day 4. While Pranavi submitted a card of three-over 75 in the final round to finish sole 13th, Avani posted a four-over 76 to languish at tied 18th spot individually and end India’s chances of a team medal.

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In the women’s team competition, Thai trio of Yubol, Eila Galitsky and Patcharajutar Kongkraphan took home the gold with an overall score of 34-under 542. South Korea settled for silver at 28-under 548 and China clinched the bronze at 24-under 552.  

Aditi, who came close to clinching an Olympic medal in the 2020 Tokyo Games back in 2021, secured an Asiad medal in China. The Olympian stumbled upon bogeys on the third and fifth holes before making amends with a birdie on the ninth. However, bogeys on holes 11 and 15 followed by a double bogey on the par-3 16th effectively wiped out her chances of sealing a historic gold medal.

In the men’s individual category, Anirban Lahiri finished tied 12th, jumping five places from his overnight position, after carding a four-under 68 in Round 4 for an overall score of 14-under 274. Lahiri, who plies his trade on the Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Golf Tour, fired six birdies against two bogeys for his eventual tally.

Asian Tour regular Khalin Joshi ended joint 27th with a four-day total of seven-under 281 while compatriot SSP Chawrasia finished sole 29th a stroke behind. Two-time European Tour champion Shubhankar Sharma 32nd at two-under 286.

Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho was primed to clinch the gold medal at 27-under-par after 15 holes with a chasing pack including South Korea’s Sungjae Im and Chinese Taipei’s Chien-Yao Hung close behind.

With a disappointing display in the third and fourth rounds, the Indian men’s team were languishing at the seventh spot in the 10-team field, with an overall tally of 34-under 840. South Korea lead the team standings at 76-under 771 followed by Thailand and Hong Kong China in joint second place.

India’s highest-ranked golfer Anirban Lahiri’s late surge went in vain as the 36-year-old carded four-under 68 to finish tied 12th. Asian Tour regular Khalin Joshi ended joint 27th with a four-day total of seven-under 281 while compatriot SSP Chawrasia finished sole 29th a stroke behind. Two-time European Tour champion Shubhankar Sharma 32nd at two-under 286.

Hong Kong China’s Taichi Kho captured the gold medal in men’s individual competition with an overall tally of 27-under 261. South Korean Sungjae Im took the silver medal a stroke adrift of Taichi. Chien-Yao Hung of Chinese Taipei settled for bronze at 24-under 264.

In the team competition, India finished seventh out of 10 teams with an overall total of 34-under 830. South Korea secured the team gold with 76-under 788. Thailand emerged as runner-up to claim silver with Hong Kong China clinching bronze.