Aditi Ashok becomes first Indian winner on Ladies European Tour

Aditi Ashok made history on Sunday, becoming the first Indian-born player to win on the Ladies European Tour.

The 18-year-old, who made a splash in golf’s return to the Olympics, won the Hero Women’s Indian Open by a shot over two-time LPGA major winner Brittany Lincicome and Belen Mozo at DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon. A closing even-par 72 was enough to hold on for a 3-under 213 total and the victory.

Only sweetening the win for Ashok, who won with a 4-foot birdie on the final hole, is that it came in her home country.

“I’ve had a lot of good finishes at the Indian Open and to finally get the job done feels good, especially as an Indian player in front of my home crowd,” Ashok said. “It means a lot to win this.”

Ashok turned pro last year at the age of 17, going on to win the LET’s Q-school. However, that title did not initially come with a lot of playing opportunities. Ashok has made good on the chances she’s had since the Olympics, however, putting up four consecutive top-10 finishes before a T-46 finish in the event preceding this win.

With all of this momentum, Ashok will come to the United States next month to compete in the final stage of LPGA Tour Q-school with an opportunity to gain LPGA status for 2017.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.