Former champion Aditi Ashok on Wednesday pulled out of the USD 500,000 Hero women’s Indian Open golf tournament, which is scheduled to be held at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram from October 18 to 21.
The 20-year-old Indian golfer has instead opted to play at the Buick LPGA, a co-sanctioned event by the China Golf Association, the LPGA and the CLPGA, which will be held on the same dates in Shanghai, China, reports PTI.
“It is with disappointment that I have decided to not play the Hero Women’s Indian Open this year,” wrote Aditi on her official Twitter page. “This would have been my 8th Indian Open in a row but right now playing the BUICKK LPGA during the same week is important to me. As a past champion, it wasn’t easy to make this decision but I look forward to playing many more Indian Opens in the coming years.”
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The Women’s Indian Open is the richest among the ladies European Tours with the winner being awarded a prize money of USD 75,000. Aditi had won the competition in 2016.
“Clearly, the increase in prize money and the live TV reflects how much the tournament has evolved over the years and I hope it continues to grow from strength to strength. Best wishes to Hero Women’s Indian Open, Ladies European Tour, Women’s Golf Association of India, DLF Golf and Country Club for another successful edition,” she further said on her social media account.
Aditi has been fairly successful as she did not just win the Indian Open, but also clinched the Qatar Ladies Open, Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open and represented India at the Rio Olympics.
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Image Source: Golf.com