Patricia Sanz Barrio
Spain’s Patricia Sanz Barrio won the Grecotel Amirandes Ladies Open at Crete Golf Club in a thrilling finish on Saturday. Sanz Barrio triumphed in a three hole play-off against Sweden’s Julia Davidsson.
Davidsson posted an impressive 4 under par, 67, with a back nine of 6 under par, to set the clubhouse lead. Sanz Barrio, playing the par four 18th hole at 1 under, missed the green in regulation and after failing to hole out from 10 feet for par, joined Davidsson at even par.
Switzerland’s Caroline Rominger and Charlotte Wild from England, both had birdie opportunities on the final hole but narrowly failed to convert them, to join Davidsson and Sanz in the play-off.
Sanz Barrio and Davidsson returned to the 18th hole where the Swede hit her approach shot to 10 feet and with Sanz Barrio making a par, Davidsson was unable to sink her putt and the players returned to the 18th tee again.
Both players scored regulations pars and it was only on the third play-off hole that Sanz Barrio and Davidsson could be separated. The Swede, finding trouble from the tee, was unable to make a par, leaving Sanz Barrio with two putts to secure her first win on the LET Access Series.
The Spanish player, who narrowly missed progressing to the final stage of LPGA Tour School last week, has virtually guaranteed her Ladies European Tour card for the 2014 season with her win in the Grecotel Amirandes Ladies Open.
Spain’s Mireia Prat, who has enjoyed an extremely consistent season, along with England’s Charlotte Wild, Heather Macrae from Scotland and Swiss Caroline Rominger, all finished in a tie for 3rd place at one over par.
Belgium’s Chloe Leurquin finished a further shot back at 2 over, to finish in 7th place on her own.
The LET Access Series moves on to the Costa Blanca Ladies Open from the 18 – 20 November at Font del Llop Golf Resort, near Alicante, for the penultimate event of this year.
At the end of the season, the top five players will earn their Ladies European Tour card for the 2014 season, with the next 15 players progressing directly to the final stage of LET Tour School.
