Joanna Klatten claims her first ever victory in the Vic Open on ALPG – Golf News
Frenchwoman Joanna Klatten clinched her first ever professional victory in the Women's Victorian Open, at the Spring Valley Golf Club.
Klatten fired three birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round to finish five-under par 68. Overall, she was superb in the tournament, especially on her final 25 holes, on which she achieved an 11-under par score.
It was unbelievable, as she holed in the eighth attempt while playing the 10th hole on Saturday, which was part of her last 25 holes.
She was very pleased with her performance and told that she liked the last holes on the course, as she had never done that before.
Moreover, it was an interesting and memorable day in the final round of the tournament when she was sitting at the bar waiting for her nearest rival, Haeji Kang from South Korea, to finish her par-four 18th hole.
Klatten was enjoying her win prior to the top-ranked player on the field, Kang, finished her game.
However, she had to hurry back to the field when Kang eagled her final hole with a superb 98m sand wedge from the rough in the playoffs.
While playing the first hole of the playoffs, Klatten fired a five-yard putt to provide more intensity to the sudden death period.
After that, both players had to play the 18th hole. Klatten missed her birdie putt and carded a par.
However, Kang had a 1-metre par putt to make in order to remain in the game. When she went for it, she came under pressure and missed the putt, sparking a flurry of excitement and celebration for Klatten.
Klatten told the reporters that her other European Tour friends handed her a glass of beer and said that it was all over.
However, she told them it was not over yet, as Kang could still hole the ball because of her experience and her ability to make difficult shots.
“But I still had it. So when she holed the shot, I don't drink, so one beer got me a little bit tipsy. I was a little bit worried. I went to hit some balls and I tried to chug as much water as I could to sober up,” she continued.
“It's very special, especially the way it happened. Very, very special. And my first time in Australia, even more special, I love Australia,” she added.
The overnight leader Rebecca Flood and Kang had a strong competition for the first position throughout the day.
However, Klatten outclassed both of them, as she fired an eagle followed by two consecutive birdies in the end. She took the top position.
Kang was, on the other hand, very disappointed after she lost to Klatten, despite a spectacular eagle she recorded on the final hole of the tournament.
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