French star Louise Landgraf came from two shots behind with two holes to play to steal the Flogas Irish Women’s Amateur Open Championship at Newlands Golf Club.
The final round quickly became a two-horse race between Landgraf and overnight leader Jessica Ross and this championship always felt like it would hinge on the closing two par fives on 17 and 18. That proved to be the case as a birdie, birdie finish for Landgraf pipped Ross’ par, bogey ending to successfully defend her Irish Women’s title with a one shot win on three-under after a 72.
Ross left the door open with missed drives left on 17 and right on 18 and Landgraf responded with two superb shots into 17 to set up a 10-foot eagle opportunity. She did leave it short but a birdie trimmed the gap to the minimum and she launched a towering 3-wood to 25-feet on the last. Ross was unable to get up and down from the green side bunker for par so Landgraf had a tap in birdie for the victory although she was unaware with everything that had gone on.
“I’m still a bit shocked,” said the 17-year-old. “Coming down 18 I didn’t realise that I was only one shot back so I was really surprised but really happy to do it.
“I was relieved the putt went in I thought I had to make that putt for the playoff, leaving the putt short on 17 threw me off a little bit but when someone told me I won it was a breath of relief honestly!”
Both Landgraf and Ross were tied at the top through eleven holes but things looked to be unravelling for the Junior Ryder Cup star who dropped shots at the 14th and 15th to fall two back but she was delighted that she was able to pull a couple of rabbits out of the hat on the two par fives.
“I was a couple of shots back I thought with the rain I didn’t keep track of the score and I just told myself I needed to play 17 as a par four. It gave me a bit of a drive on 18 to try and make a birdie or eagle to try and stay in contention for a win or playoff.”
For a long time the title looked like it would be heading to Clandeboye and in the hands of Ross. Having led by one overnight she extended her advantage to two with birdies on the 4th and 5th and she looked remarkably steady during a torrential rain shower.
Landgraf put the squeeze on with a birdie on 8 and a run of pars from 9 to 13 while Ross dropped shots on the 10th and 11th to leave the pair level going down the closing stretch.
One more burst of rain came but when the sun shone for the final two holes it was the world number 50, Landgraf, who powered home.
“It was horrible,” laughed Landgraf. “I don’t know how Irish people play in this! It’s definitely an experience to have and I was glad to manage my game well in this weather, good practice for links I guess!”
Roscommon’s Olivia Costello’s bid to become the first golfer to win the Irish Girls and Womens titles in the same year came up short on level-par which was good enough for third place after a closing 73 while Rebekah Gardner and Italy’s Maria Sole Albini rounded off the top-5 on plus one.
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