India's Ashok, 18, could have massive impact with Olympic medal

RIO DE JANEIRO – It was a family breakfast at the Royal Orchid, a quiet eatery wedged between Intermediate Ring Road and Karnatada Golf Association in eastern Bangalore, when then 5-year-old Aditi Ashok fell for golf.

Gudlamani Ashok, Aditi’s father, was enjoying a family meal when his daughter gazed across the lawn to the Karnatada driving range.

“We looked at the driving range where people were hitting balls and we got intrigued and went in,” Gudlamani Ashok said. “She settled into the putting green.”

Aditi hasn’t since left the green.

Less than eight months later she played her first round of golf at Bangalore Golf Club – an older layout of 6,200 yards – because, Gudlamani sheepishly admits,…