Swede rookie Caroline Hedwall romps to big win at Allianz Ladies Slovak Open
Caroline Hedwall, the Swedish Rookie on the tour, recorded her maiden victory at the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open on the Ladies European Tour when she superseded the competitors on the rain shortened tournament at the Gray Bear Golf Club at Tale’, on Sunday,
May 29.
Hedwall, who has made her eighth appearance on the tour, closed the final day with an aggregate of 11-under, 205 when the tournament was reduced to 54 holes after Saturday’s heavy downpour.
“I kind of knew that if I played really well I could have a shot but this early I couldn’t dream of.
It’s a dream come true. I’m a rookie on tour and it feels amazing to have won already. It’s a great feeling,” said Hedwall who was apparently overwhelmed with her maiden win on the tour.
Hedwall had won her tour card in December last year after she passed the LET Final Qualifying School at La Manga Club in Spain. She had played eight holes in the third round on Saturday when the day’s proceedings were called off by the organizers as heavy
rains thrashed the course for the rest of the day. The tournament was later reduced to 54 holes and switched over to the “shotgun” format of the sport.
Hedwall completed the round for 67 on the final day, two shots ahead of Netherland’s Christel Boeljon. Boeljon had remained in contention with the leaders throughout the tournament and carded a career best of eight-under, 64 on the final day. Boeljon has
shown impeccable consistency in the season so far and is coming out of her maiden victory on the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open.
“I finished with three birdies so that was a great finish to my round and I’m very happy with second. To shoot eight under in your final round, I would have taken that any day. I didn’t think I would get that close.” said Boeljon.
English golfer Rachel Jennings, who had been leading the opening rounds, finished seven-under to settle for outright third. Jennings had an overall impressive performance in the tournament although she stumbled with an over par 74 on the final day.
Hedwall collected the winner’s cheque of €52,500 and will have the playing status on the tour for the rest of the year. The 22-year-old attributed her success to her mother Yvonne who was also caddying for her in the tournament. She also thanked her swing
coach, Johan Andersson, her mental coach Susanne Pettersson and her strength trainer, Dan Salemonsson for making it possible for her to win so early on the tour.
LET will now move on the Deloitte Ladies Open 2011 Golfclub Broekpolder Rotterdam, Netherlands and is scheduled to start from June 3, 2011.
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