19-year-old Aditi Ashok creates history, becomes first Indian golfer to contest all five majors on LPGA Tour in one season

A unique piece of Indian sporting history was created on Friday as 19-year-old golfer Aditi Ashok became the first player from India to contest all five majors on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour in one season. Currently contesting the Evian Championships in France, the youngster thus has competed in the five annual major championships on the elite circuit.

After the first day was rained out, the competition was reduced to a 54-hole one and Ashok had a modest opening round -- carding a one-over par score. She registered birdies in three out of the four par-5 holes, but also made three bogeys and a double bogey. With two rounds still to go, it remains to be seen if she can make her way up on the charts in the coming days.

Ashok came into prominence with a stellar performance at the Rio Olympics last year, where she came quite close to winning a medal. She is also the first and only Indian golfer to have played at the Asian Youth Games, Youth Olympic Games and Asian Games.

In July earlier this year, she achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 86. Incredibly, she was ranked at No. 444 at the time of the Olympics last year, which means she jumped 358 spots in less than one year -- a testament to the incredible year she has had.

She also recorded her first ever Top 10 finish at an LPGA event at the Marathon Classic in Ohio, USA. She recorded a commendable eight-place finish, making her the first Indian to do so in her rookie season and only the second overall to finish in the Top 10.

With the fifth major of the year underway, her performances in the previous four have been mixed. At the opening two events -- the ANA Inspiration and Women's PGA Championship, she recorded finishes of T42 and T29 respectively. However, in the US Women's Open and Ricoh Women's British Open, she missed the cut.

Despite a slow start in France, she will be looking to improve her position on the standings and after a strong rookie season, the next one promises to be even better of she can continue her rapid rise!