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Indian shares a co-shot 12-under par lead with Denmark’s Madsen
Vinay Nayudu
Doha
Nothing succeeds like success and it seems to be the case so for India's young and promising golfer Aditi Ashok.
Riding the crest of a wave following her first Ladies European Tour triumph at the Hero Indian Open last fortnight, the 18-year-old has been going from strength to strength at the inaugural Qatar Ladies Open at the Doha Golf Club.
On Friday, she shot 4-under par 68 after morning thundershowers to shoot into a co-lead at 12-under par with Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen setting up a thrilling fourth and final round on Saturday.
After a delayed two-hour start to the third round, the young golfers, paired together, clinched birdie putts on the 18th green in the dying light to share the lead much to the delight of the weekend crowd.
Wales' Becky Morgan shot an impressive score of 66 to finish on 11-under, while England's Annabel Dimmock stayed in contention at fourth on 10-under.
Second-round leader Lydia Hall dropped down the field to fifth after a mixed, level-par 72 kept her at nine-under.
After finishing the front-nine on level par, 22-year-old Madsen grew into her round, and four birdies after the turn left the Dane with a round of 69.
While Aditi began brighter and led the field for most part of the day, two bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes meant she was pegged back by her resilient playing partner as the two battled for the lead.
"It's great to be in contention, the week after a win. I'm really happy with the way I'm playing this week. I played with Nanna today and she's an aggressive player as well, so it will be fun tomorrow," said Aditi.
On her part, the fiery Madsen, who is looking to add a second title this year, left the course pleased with her luck after her second shot into the par-five 18th skirted the water and found the greenside rough, but she downplayed the importance of her birdie finish alongside Aditi.
"It was lucky that my second shot didn't go into the water. I was just happy that I didn't have to make a drop. It's better to be tied for the lead than be one behind, but either is okay.
"The front nine, I just didn't hit it close enough so I didn't give myself the birdie chances I needed. On the back nine I had a few more chances which I made, so that was good," said Madsen.
Elsewhere in the field, it was second-placed Morgan and France's Jade Schaeffer who made the most of 'moving day' at the QLO.
Schaeffer shot a blistering bogey-free round of 65, the best round of the tournament, to move up to tied-sixth and four off the lead. Morgan, who is yet to win on the LET after over 100 appearances, carded a 66 in the challenging conditions to leave herself well placed ahead of Saturday's final round.
Scores (After Round Three; Top Seven): Aditi Ashok (Ind) 12-under par 68 (Total 204), Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Den) 12-under par 69 (204), Becky Morgan (Wales) 11-underpar 66 (205), Annabel Dimmock (Eng) 10-under par 70 (206), Lydia Hall (Wales), 9-underpar 72 (207), Jade Schaeffer (Fra) 8-under par 65 (208), Linda Wessberg (Swe) 8-under par 70 (208).
