New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) Having secured her place in the Indian team on merit after narrowly missing out on the previous edition, golfer Diksha Dagar says a medal at this year’s Asian Games in Japan tops her list of priorities.
Diksha was left heartbroken after she couldn’t make the Indian team for the Hangzhou edition following a fifth-place finish at the selection trials which was held in April, about six months before the event.
“I view the Asian Games as the most important event this year. Success there would be most satisfying. It’s a matter of great honour and pride to be representing India at such prestigious sporting events,” the 25-year-old from Jhajjar told PTI on Tuesday.
“I’m happy that the team selection was based on merit. I believe that I am part of a very strong and experienced squad.” Asked if her experience of playing in Japan will help her at the Asian Games, Diksha, a two-time winner on the Ladies European Tour (LET), said: “I have been to Japan twice in the past. I am keeping myself competition ready. We have time to learn about the golf course and the conditions there.
“With adequate playing experience in various conditions, I would just want to go there few days early so that I get used to the time zone and weather.” Diksha won the 2019 Investec South African Women’s Open in Cape Town in just her fourth professional start and the 2023 Tipsport Czech Ladies Open in June, making her only the second Indian woman to win multiple LET events after Aditi Ashok.
Reflecting on her season so far, Diksha, who finished tied 7th at the Hulencourt Women’s Open in Belgium last week, said: “I am satisfied and happy to have once again qualified for the Women’s Open, which is one of my favorite Championships. I am excited about it.
“I am playing the Scottish Open a week prior on the Dundonald link course, which will be fine preparation for the Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
“Wind becomes quite a factor, and since it mostly rains there, keeping the ball low in the wind and staying dry in the rain becomes quite a challenge. The only way to deal with the challenging situation is to be a bit aggressive, whether it involves the conditions or the field strength,” she observed.
Diksha, a Deaflympics gold medallist, said she has been working on her game, including strengthening her physical and mental fitness.
“I am happy that I am giving myself good chances. I am doing things that are in my control. I have been taking care of my game, my physical and mental fitness, and my diet sincerely. So, my focus is on putting in my efforts,” she said.
“I am more experienced and more aware of myself, my golf, and the competition. I am working on areas that need improvement. Of course, having played 150 tournaments on the LET in so many different countries and conditions has made me a better, more mature and more experienced golfer.
“I am little more focused and willing to put in hard work to see myself, where I believe I should be in golf. My goal is to play golf to the best of my abilities. I was 3rd in the Order Of Merit in 2023. So I believe I can better that if I continue to play well.” PTI ATK
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