Maja Stark delivered a final round masterclass by smashing the course record at Galgorm Castle, while Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson held on on day four as they were crowned the winners of the 2022 ISPS HANDA World Invitational.
Sweden’s Stark earned promotion to the LPGA Tour thanks to her final round 10-under 63 at Galgorm, which saw her leapfrog a host of experienced figures and claim a comfortable five-shot win at 20-under-par.
Meanwhile, Ferguson saw his three-shot overnight lead wiped out by England’s Richard Mansell at the halfway stage of the the fourth round, but he held on on the back nine to card a one-under 69 to claim a three-stroke victory over Spain’s Borja Virto at 12-under as Mansell faded.
Stark was the performer of the day and then some, the Race to Costa del Sol leader starting the day two shots off America’s Amanda Doherty but producing a bogey-free conclusion to the tournament to romp to a dominant win that was every bit as impressive as it sounds.
It’s the Swede’s third win of the season and will see her jump up to the LPGA Tour on a permanent basis, with Allisen Corpuz taking second followed by Georgia Hall, who birdied the final hole to claim solo third place.
On the men’s side, Ferguson looked to have things wrapped up heading into the final day as he carried a three-shot lead in, but Mansell played his first 10 holes in five-under and a level-par front nine from Ferguson saw them turn tied at 11-under.
But three bogeys from Mansell in his final four holes opened the door for Ferguson, who birdied the 10th and parred his way back to the clubhouse to hold on for his second DP World Tour win of the season, with Virto stealing in for second at 10-under after a closing 67.
Cavan’s Leona Maguire was the best Irishwoman, finishing tied for 10th at 10-under-par after a closing 68, with Galgorm touring pro Tom McKibbin leading the local charge on the men’s side, also ending the week tied for 10th at six-under.
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