Sara Byrne began the final round of the Jabra Ladies Open de France trailing Helen Briem by three strokes, but despite a frustrating day on the greens, she finished joint runner-up and recorded her career best LET finish.
Playing in the final group alongside the German, Byrne, making just her third start of the season after injury, went birdie-bogey-birdie-bogey on holes seven through 10 and carded 14 pars on the other holes to close out the week at five-under.
Despite the lack of success on the greens, she was more than happy with her week’s performance.
“I’m really happy with that week to be tied second, my best-ever LET finish and first time in the final group,” said Byrne. “Today was probably the best golf I played all week, unfortunately not one out wanted to drop for me all day.
“I gave myself so many opportunities. I’m so proud of how I handled myself out there and this has been a fun week. It’s been really fun being back on Tour and putting myself in contention.”
Briem, however, was in a class of her own, winning by a stunning seven shots at Evian Resort Golf Club to clinch her second LET title.
The 20-year-old started off steady rolling in pars on her first six holes before she made her first birdie on the seventh.
Briem then rolled in three birdies in four holes in a spell between holes 11 and 14 to secure the largest margin of victory of the 2026 LET season winning with a total of 12-under-par.
“It’s been a long time. I came close a couple of times and I didn’t make it, but it’s a great venue to get my second win. It’s great over here, and it was a great weekend,” said Briem.
“I actually did not really know the standings, so I was always trying to push and make birdies and giving myself opportunities. Then I birdied 11, 12, then 14 and it was easy from there on. I had a couple opportunities in the last four holes, but I’m really happy.
“I actually don’t drink alcohol, so that’s probably not going to be the case [the celebration], but my sister is playing next week, so I’ll be with her for a couple days, and then get ready for the U.S.”
Briem’s first LET win was at La Sella Open in September 2024 with her father Jochen by her side. The pair now have another trophy for their collection, and the 20-year-old has also booked her spot at the 2026 Amundi Evian Championship.
“It’s great,” she continued. “Playing majors is always a special experience, and obviously, it was on my mind that this is at stake over here, but I also knew that there are other possibilities or opportunities to qualify for Evian. It was on my mind, but I knew it wasn’t mandatory, so that helped a lot.
“[On her dad] We’re having a good time. We’re learning, we’re growing together, and it’s such a privilege to play with him on the bag, and to travel the world with them, and I’m really glad that he’s always on the side.
“I have a week off now, and then I play Dow with Nastasia [Nadaud]. I’m looking forward to that and then we’ll see what else this season brings.”
Singapore’s Shannon Tan and Wales’ Lydia Hall finished alongside Byrne at five-under.
Aine Donegan shot a closing 69 to end the week on level-par and tied for 21st, while Anna Foster’s 72 left her back in a share of 43rd at +3.
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