India's Aditi Ashok in action during the third round of the Ladies European Tour 2016: Qatar Ladies Masters at the Doha Golf Club in Doha yesterday.
The inaugural Qatar Ladies Open (QLO) is perfectly poised for a thrilling final round as Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Aditi Ashok took a one shot co-lead at 12-under par on the third day at Doha Golf Club yesterday.
The young pair, playing together, clinched birdie putts on the 18th green in the dying light to share the lead, cheered on by the captivated crowds.
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.
Morning thunderstorms delayed the start of yesterday’s play by over two hours, and the heavy winds that followed offered the Ladies European Tour players a new challenge to contend with on moving day.
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 Ashok started brighter and led the field for the majority of the day, two bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes meant she was pegged back by her resilient playing partner as the pair battled for the lead in front of the big weekend crowds.
With sunshine and perfect scoring conditions expected today, it could be a tense day of battle between the two exciting players.
Ashok said:“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."
“It was quite windy in the morning so I knew I had to be sharp with my approaches and I had a few birdie chances which I made, so that start was good.”
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 Ashok.
She said: "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. I was happy that it didn’t go into the water."
