Moortown winner Ashok beats field at LET Tour School to earn card for 2016

After rounds of 68, 69, 62 and 68 over the Samanah and Amelkis courses in Marrakech alternately, India’s Ashok chipped in for birdie on the final hole, the par-4 18th, in the fifth and final round at Samanah for a closing 70 and a five-round total of 23 under par, 337.

It gave her a three-stroke win over a world-class field of competitors from 35 different countries

Daisy Nielsen of Denmark, was second with overnight leader Karolin Lampert, of Germany, ending two strokes further back in third place.

The victory was a massive accomplishment by Bangalore student Ashok, who is still to sit her final high school exams in March 2016.

Ashok, winner of the Ladies British Amateur stroke play title at Moortown in August, said that she has dreamed of becoming a professional golfer since starting to play the game aged five and a half.

She was inspired by watching Laura Davies and Gwladys Nocera compete in the 2007 EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters in her home city as an eight-year-old.

She said: “I’ve always wanted to be a professional because I just love playing golf. It’s been my dream ever since I was a kid so it’s great to make the first step in getting there. I’m really happy.

“It’s an amazing feeling because I came into the tournament obviously wanting to give myself a chance to win, but also just wanting to play consistent enough to get a card. Winning it and getting a card is just that much better.”

Ashok started the final round one stroke behind Lampert and she bogeyed the second and third holes to fall further adrift, but the pair were tied at 20 under par after Lampert double bogeyed the ninth hole.

Ashok had missed a number of chances, but she moved ahead when Lampert bogeyed the 10th. With a birdie on 11, Ashok then went three strokes clear after Lampert bogeyed the 12th.

Ashok converted a birdie putt of 15 feet on the 15th before finishing in style on the course where she recorded a women’s course record 62 in the third round.

Another young player with a bright future, Nielsen ended on a high note with seven birdies in a final round of 66.

She said: “I played really solid and I only left one putt out there. I’ve had a tough year and it’s really nice to play well and maintain my card for next year.”

Nurria Iturrios of Spain ended in fourth place on 15 under par, with England’s Annabel Dimmock and Kelsey MacDonald of Scotland sharing fifth spot.

Emily Talley of the United States tied for seventh with Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh, followed by Noemi Jimenez Martin of Spain in ninth and Justine Dreher from France in 10th.

A total of 31 players finished on three under par or better earning the opportunity to take up Ladies European Tour Membership in Category 8 for 2016 and will return to Morocco with fond memories when the Lalla Meryem Cup takes place in May next year.