Thalia Martin captured her maiden LET Access Series (LETAS) title after defeating Charlotte Heath in a four-hole playoff in Morocco.
It was a historic week at Golf Lacs Saidia with the venue hosting the first LETAS event outside of Europe.
Martin rolled in a birdie at the last to draw level with Heath, who held the clubhouse lead on two-under-par.
The English duo headed back to 18 for the playoff but they both came away with par on the first three occasions.
With the result still in the balance, they headed to 17 where a par from Martin was enough to seal her maiden LETAS title and her second professional win of the year.
“I’m feeling overwhelmed right now, it’s been a crazy start to the year! I never thought I would have these wins this early in 2025,” said Martin, who won on the Sunshine Ladies Tour in 2025.
“It’s nice to have the win in Morocco, the people are lovely, and the event was brilliant. I think my win in South Africa helped me with being in the final group. It has helped me understand what I need to do in the final groups.
“It was tight towards the end and a dramatic finish. It was quite nerve-wracking, but also I just love the adrenaline of it.”
The 28-year-old began the day in a share of second place on one-under-par and had a solid day with a birdie on the sixth before a dropped shot on 10.
Martin hit a stunning approach shot into the 18th green and duly rolled in the seven-foot putt to ensure it was a playoff.
She continued: “The birdie on 18 was odd, I pictured in my head okay just put it in the whole and let’s move on. I was so focused on the present and then it actually happened.
“It was nice to get to know Charlotte in the playoff, she was a tough opponent, and the wind probably got us on 17. I hit that winning putt, and it was on-line but then it started curling and I was thinking oh gosh, but then mum shouted so that was a relief.”
England’s Heath was teeing it up on LETAS for the first time and it was her first competitive tournament in eight months following a rib and spine injury.
The 23-year-old, who won the Smyth Salver at the 2023 AIG Women’s Open, carded a round of 69 (-3) which included three bogeys, four birdies and an eagle.
“I played well today, I’m proud of myself,” said Heath. “I’m happy with how I played considering I haven’t played competitively since August/September last year. I didn’t have many expectations going into this week, so I’ll take it.
“The conditions were very difficult, it was much windier, and the wind was changing directions. I will definitely take three-under.”
Three players finished in a share of third place with France’s Charlotte Liautier, Czechia’s Patricie Mackova and Switzerland’s Tiffany Arafi all on even par.
Lauren Holmey of the Netherlands finished in outright sixth place on one-over with English amateur Jessica Hall one shot further back in seventh.
Germany’s Celina Sattelkau, Scotland’s Lorna Mcclymont and Austria’s Katharina Muehlbauer ended the week in T8 on three-over.
Next up for LETAS is the Super Bock Ladies Open at Vidago Palace which takes place from 6-8 May.
For more information on the LET Access Series, visit letaccess.com and follow @LETAccess on Facebook, Instagram and X – #Access2LET.
