Tralee’s Lucy Grattan and Ella Cantwell of Esker Hills shared leading Irish player honours at the English Girls Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship at Sherwood Forest Golf Club, but it was England’s Lauren Crump who secured a two-stroke victory after a final-round 68 that saw her leapfrog fellow countrywoman Daisy Lee.
Grattan carded a closing 69 for a two-under tally that saw her finish tied for 14th along with Cantwell, who shot a level-par 73.
Zoe McLean-Tattan of Romford completed the Irish interest in the final two rounds, finishing tied for 21st at +2 after a three-under final round.
Heading into the final round, Crump, looking to successfully defend her title, was three strokes in arrears but Crump held her nerve to card six birdies in her final round as she finished 18-under for the tournament and two clear of Lee to lift the title for the second year running.
She said: “It feels amazing. I came into the week knowing there was a lot of pressure on me to do it again and I’m just really happy to do it!
“I’m playing some of my best golf. I struck my irons really well and putted so good. I saw through 10 holes that I was tied with Daisy, and I knew there were a couple of par-5s and I needed to take advantage of them and I managed to hole some important putts.
“Having won it last year, coming down the last few holes, I didn’t feel as nervy as I did last time, and I was just making pars and trying to get it there.”
There’s not much time for celebrating for Crump, who goes into AIG Women’s Open Final Qualifying at Pyle & Kenfig on Monday, hoping to achieve one of her dreams.
She added: “It would be amazing to follow in the footsteps of someone like Lottie Woad and be able to play at the AIG!”
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