Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck endured a rollercoaster day which saw her quickly lose her big overnight lead before recovering to win her first Ladies European Tour title in the PIF London Championship at Centurion Club on Sunday.
The Golf Saudi-backed event, the third iconic stop in this season’s PIF Global Series, continued its appetite for high drama when Fuenfstueck, three clear at the start of the day, fell back into the field only to haul herself back into contention again, with four birdies on the back nine including 17 and 18 to finish on 1-under 72 and 10-under overall.
Her short winning birdie putt meant she denied Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea, who was set to be her country’s first winner on the LET, one shot behind on 9-under with Golf Saudi ambassador Ann Van Dam of the Netherlands a further shot back on 8-under after a stunning eagle at the 18th catapulted her up the leaderboard.
Fuenfstueck, who had played in 114 LET events before this maiden win, said: ”Last week (at the AIG Women’s Open) helped, in contention first two days and then gave it away over the weekend. So I knew what it was like to not have the start I wanted, but if you stay in there, there’s a lot of chances on the back nine and I’m just super pleased I got over the line.”
On a day which saw the lead ebb and flow and at one point seven players were tied for the lead, Fuenfstueck recovered from a double bogey-bogey at the 3rd and 4th holes to recover her composure and seal the win with a magnificent second shot into the heart of the 18th green.
Her eagle putt rolled past the cup but she made no mistake with the one-foot birdie putt, burying her face in her hands as the enormity of the moment sank in.
Darquea, who only secured her LET card at Qualifying School last year, had looked well placed for an extraordinary maiden win with a closing 5-under 68 including two-nerveless birdies in the last three holes.
She said: “It was wonderful. I had so much fun. I think the back nine was very competitive. I had a lot of fun. I’m really happy to see Laura win and obviously, I gave it my best. When I got to 15, I saw the leaderboard. I knew I had a chance, and I needed to make a few putts coming in. I’m really happy with the result.”
It was another day of high drama after Team Du Toit, captained by Danielle Du Toit who was only included in the field after Charley Hull’s late withdrawal on Thursday evening, triumphed in the team contest in dramatic style on Saturday.
Big crowds enjoyed another glorious day at Centurion, relishing the activities and clinics on site as well as following some of the world’s best players.
The tournament was another example of Golf Saudi’s support for women’s golf, not only showcasing the world’s best but also giving opportunities to local children and beginners who may have never played before with their Go Golf clinics.
Golf Saudi is also focused on strengthening the golfing ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, driving mass participation in the sport and promoting the Kingdom as a rising golfing, tourism and investment hub.
For more information on the PIF Global Series and the upcoming PIF London Championship please visit: www.pifglobalseries.com
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