Aditi Ashok Shines in Dana Open Despite Challenges

India's Aditi Ashok is showing promising form in the Dana Open golf tournament as she prepares for her third Olympics. After two rounds, she is tied for 13th place, despite facing some challenges on the course. Aditi aims for her first top 10 finish of the season on the LPGA Tour.

India's Aditi Ashok, gearing up for her third Olympic appearance, demonstrated commendable form by carding 66-72 to secure a tied 13th position after the first two rounds of the Dana Open golf tournament on the LPGA Tour.

In the initial round, Aditi delivered an impressive bogey-free 66. However, in the subsequent round, she encountered three birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey on the Par-5 seventh hole at Highland Meadows Golf Club.

Aditi, who is striving for her first top 10 finish of the season and her maiden LPGA win since joining the tour in 2017, had a strong start with a 6-under 65, tying her for second place with China's Xiyu Lin, just one stroke behind leader Hye-Jin Choi.

Chanettee Wannasaen of Thailand holds her inaugural LPGA Tour lead at 11-under after 36 holes, with a second-round score of 65, her career-low 36-hole tally of 131.

Meanwhile, Linn Grant and Xiyu Lin are tied for second at 10-under, trailing Wannasaen. Grant, the defending champion, posted eight birdies and two bogeys, aiming to be the first to defend her Dana Open title successfully since Se Ri Pak in the late '90s.

Mary Liu, a 2024 LPGA Tour rookie, also stands out, currently placed fourth at 9-under, marking a potential career breakthrough after making just four cuts in 10 starts this season.