By Kent Gray
After her dramatic Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open triumph in Abu Dhabi, Aditi Ashok has given herself perhaps the last shot at a traditional ‘Desert Slam’ heading into next week’s 12th Omega Dubai Ladies Classic.

The 19-year-old Indian won the Qatar Ladies Open en-route to Rookie of the Year honours last year and the Abu Dhabi title last month despite a four-putt on the penultimate hole at Saadiyat Beach, leaving the Dec. 6-9 Ladies European Tour season-ender in her crosshairs.

Related: Ashok four-putts penultimate hole but holds on for 3rd LET title

With Doha having slipped off the LET schedule this season and no word on whether to will be reinstated, it could be the last chance anyone has to achieve the Desert Slam. The parameters have even changed on the men’s European Tour with Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha now joined by Muscat with the elevation of the NBO Oman Golf Classic to the main tour.

Ashok, who shot three successive rounds of 70 to finish third in Dubai last season, admits the Desert Slam is a spur.

“I have won in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, so it would be amazing to win in Dubai, too,” said the Bangalore native who also earned an LPGA card to cap an unforgettable 2016.

“Dubai is one of my favourite events of the whole year and I am excited to play at Emirates Golf Club. I finished tied third in 2016, so I would like to better that.”

Ashok made 14 cuts in 21 starts on the LPGA Tour this season with tied 8th at the Marathon Classic as her best result. She also qualified for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, becoming the first from her country to play in the season-ending LPGA Tour event.

Related: I.K. Kim fizzing for Omega Dubai Ladies Classic debut

“I think I did okay (on the LPGA Tour) considering I had conditional status and I played only three of first 10 events. I missed a few cuts, especially at the majors, which I wish I hadn’t, but playing all five majors was a pretty cool experience.

“I’ll have better status for next year. I’ve seen most of the courses so I can plan it better for next year. I think I have to focus on my goals, on my game and keep progressing.”

Related: Brittany ‘Bam Bam’ Lincicome will be a major threat

Ashok made history when she became the first Indian to win the Ladies British amateur stroke-play championship at Leeds in 2015 and put women’s golf on the map in her cricket loving homeland when she shared the lead with Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn for a brief period at the Rio Olympics before finishing in a tie for 41^st.

The teen will have to overcome the like of Women’s British Open winner In-Kyung Kim, Charley Hull and two-time major champions Suzann Pettersem and Brittany Lincicome at Emirates G.C. if she is to claim a fourth LET win.

Entry to the event is free but you must register online for tickets.

Related: Pettersen: “I show up to win tournaments”