Aditi Ashok cards 72 in second round, lies T-5th at Gainbridge LPGA

Aditi Ashok cards 72 in second round, lies T-5th at Gainbridge LPGA

Aditi Ashok kept herself in contention following a decent second-round performance in her maiden event of 2022.

The highest-ranked Indian golfer, Aditi, shot an even-par 72 in the day two game to keep herself in a comfortable position to take charge in the remaining rounds to clinch her maiden title.

The 23-year-old Indian, who started her campaign with a pleasant 66, added 72 on Friday to be placed tied-5th at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

LPGA Tour’s last week’s winner Danielle Kang struck 4-under 68 to reach 11-under, thanks to her first-day 7-under.

Danielle Kang and Lydia Ko

6-time LPGA champion Kang, who played a sixth consecutive round in the 60s, joined the overnight leader Lydia Ko at the top spot heading into the weekend.

Jodi Ewart Shadoff of England with Philippines’s Yuka Saso were at the tied-3rd place.

World No.1 Nelly Korda, with her elder sister Jessica Korda and seven others, were tied-17th with a matching 4-under 140.

The other Indian in the field, Nishtha Madan, missed the cut after a disappointing two days journey in which she posted 13-over 157.

The 4th ranked golfer in Rolex Rankings, Inbee Park missed the cut. Sophia Popov, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Yealimi Noh were among other prominent names who made an early exit from the tournament as they failed to make the cut.