Attributes new-found success to seeing a coach after 7 years
BENGALURU: After three sensational weeks on the Ladies European Tour last month, which saw her end a five-year title drought, besides finishing a close second in one and a third place finish in the other, ace Indian golfer Aditi Ashok will hope to carry that form into the first event on the LPGA that begins at Gold Canyon, Arizona, on Thursday.
"I feel good finishes always add confidence and that's what I hope translates into my game on the LPGA. I still try not to have any expectations while playing and take it one round at a time, but recent results definitely make me believe my game is in a good place," Aditi told TOI on the eve of the $1.75 million LPGA Drive On Championship.
The 24-year-old Bengalurean attributed her new-found success to various factors, including seeing a coach after nearly seven years. "I think the biggest factor was my three months of off-season. The practice and fitness definitely helped after last year. The 2022 season was actually the longest, and I played the most tournaments I've ever played (29), so maybe the fatigue got to my performance a little bit last year," said Aditi, who won the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in early Feb.
Known for her stupendous short-game skills, Aditi pointed out that the extra yards she added off the tee after she worked on her swing speed has taken the pressure off her short game. "I actually haven't been practising much short game and I would say it wasn't good the last three events, but with the extra yards off the tee it definitely took some pressure off. I think going forward my focus will be to keep practising my short game more because that's always helped me during my career and I will probably need it in some longer courses, especially on the LPGA," said the Indian ace who missed an Olympic medal in Tokyo by a whisker.
Aditi also noted that seeing a coach after a long time helped her iron out the chinks in her armour. "I think it made a huge difference. I was trying to manage my own swing the last few years but this off-season I feel I was able to actually progress and make some changes, especially with the driving and learning how to swing faster. It also helps to have a trained eye seeing my swing," said Aditi.
Going into her seventh full season on the mother of all Tours, Aditi will hope to realise some of her goals. "My goal has always been to win on the LPGA and play well at the majors. Since I've had a strong start on the LET, I might play some more events there too," she said.
