Annabel Wilson’s hopes of a first professional victory didn’t materialise as the freshly minted Castlerock pro struggled in the final round of the LET Access Series’ Lavaux Ladies Open in Switzerland.
Rounds of 68 and 69 had her on -7 and just two off the lead going into the third and final round, but she failed to make a single birdie on day three and slipped down to a tie for 18th after a four-over 76.
A bogey on the par-3 fourth was her only dropped shot on the way out, but a double bogey on the par-5 14th was followed by another bogey on 15 and she parred her way home. Despite the disappointment of not giving herself a chance to win coming down the stretch, having made the cut and finished T42 at the Rose Ladies Open a fortnight ago, she’s on an upward trajectory and has one more start in a fortnight’s time before turning her attentions towards LET Q-School in December.
Wilson was a Curtis Cup star in 2021, but it was one of the 2024 crop who took the spoils at Lavaux as England’s Mimi Rhodes secured her first professional victory at the Lavaux Ladies Open a mere 16 days after leaving the amateur ranks.
The Wake Forest graduate carded rounds of 68, 68 and 64 to find herself tied at the top of the leaderboard after fellow English player Billie-Jo Smith forced a play-off with a magnificent birdie on the 18th.
The duo headed back down the first and it took until the third hole to separate them.
Rhodes under pressure produced a stunning birdie to take victory whilst it was a heartbreaking finish for Billie-Jo Smith who lost out in the play off last week to Australia’s Kelsey Bennett.
Speaking about her debut victory, Rhodes said: “I’m super happy and over the moon. It makes me very excited for the future.
“I was feeling all the emotions in the play off; stress, nerves, excitement but I was just happy to be there and that all my work has paid off.
“Billie-Jo played great out there today. I knew I had to make a birdie to seal the deal and it’s been a long time coming.”
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