Germany’s Verena Gimmy secured her maiden professional win with a stunning comeback and a three-under 69 on the final day of the Santander Golf Tour – Burgos.
The winner started day three one shot off the lead and contributed to the big fight put on by the final group, having won on the 18th hole by three strokes.
The 28-year-old started the final round with four consecutive pars and dropped one shot on the fifth before making back-to-back birdies on holes six and seven.
Gimmy seemed to remove herself from contention after a nine on the par-five eighth hole as she made the turn in 39 strokes.
But the German showcased her tough nerves and experience from the LET as she fired six birdies on her error-free back nine to win her first professional title.
“The eighth hole was definitely tough, but I knew I was playing well, I just didn’t have a lot of chances and said to myself to keep calm, stay focused, and stick to my routine.
“After making a good up and down on nine and birdie on ten, I just kept the ball rolling. It all came down to the 18th where I hit a really good drive into the green.”
The Duesseldorf native, who played in her first professional tournament in the same LETAS event in 2020, did not fail once on the back nine all week and collected a total of 19 birdies during the tournament.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I really liked the course in 2020 and I like it even better now. I don’t even know how I played that well with having a cold all week, I guess I just had no expectations coming into this week, but I definitely really enjoyed it.”
Runners-up Sara Kouskova from the Czech Republic and Swiss amateur Vanessa Knecht tied the second place at -10 after signing for 72 and 73, respectively.
Kouskova, who shared the second position with Gimmy heading into the final day had a steady round with two birdies and one bogey on the front nine, and two more birdies on holes 14 and 16.
As everything came down to the final hole, the four-time LETAS winner tried to reach the green in one but had to return to the tee box after finding her ball in the water hazard.
A triple-bogey to finish the tournament still had the Czech star sign for a round of level-par as she remains at the top of the LETAS Order of Merit.
“Considering I started playing on LETAS in June, I did not think that I would be at the top of the LETAS Order of Merit by the end of the season as I played in fewer tournaments.
“Even though I didn’t finish as I would like today, I am still extremely happy with a T2 finish. Verena really deserves the victory, her comeback on the back nine was unbelievable and really fun to watch.
Knecht, who was the overnight leader finished in T2 alongside Kouskova. The amateur had a tough start with three bogeys on her opening four holes, but she recovered herself well with four birdies on holes eight through 12.
Two double-bogeys and two more birdies on the back nine saw the Swiss talent take her second LETAS runner-up finish of the season as she prepares for the LET Qualifying School and the transition to her professional career.
“This week was a great learning experience as it was the first time I was coming into the final round as a leader. I’m glad I kept myself in contention after recovering from those bogeys early on in my round.
“Today was more of a fight and the nerves showed a little bit but I still tried to take it shot by shot. It’s good to know that I was in contention and I just gotta work on a few things and be more level-headed.
The Netherlands’ Marit Harryvan finished in outright fourth place at -8 after carding a third round of three-under-par.
Three players shared the fifth position as England’s Amy Taylor, Sweden’s Anna Magnusnon, and France’s Astrid Vayson De Pradenne finished at six-under.
Norway’s Tina Mazarino took the solo eighth spot at -5 while three players share the ninth place.
New Zealand’s Momoka Kobori, Italy’s Erika De Martini, and Swiss amateur Elena Moosmann round out the top ten at four-under-par.
The LETAS Order of Merit did not see many changes within the top six which will secure those players a full LET card for the next season.
Kouskova remains in the lead with 2,592.18 points, Germany’s Chiara Noja is second (2,217.98 points), and compatriot Patricia Isabel Schmidt third (1,892.97 points).
Kobori keeps her fourth position (1,804.83 points), the Netherland’s Lauren Holmey is fifth and Sweden’s Anna Magnusson sixth (1,405.76 points).
The Calatayud Ladies Open will be the final event of the 2022 LETAS season from 12–14 October in Spain.
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