Tonje Daffinrud
Norway’s Tonje Daffinrud shot an even par 71 in the final round of the Grecotel Amirandes Ladies Open at Crete Golf Club, to win by three shots from Denmark’s Daisy Nielsen and record back-to-back wins on the LET Access Series.
Daffinrud, who has been a professional just over a month, won the Azores Ladies Open in only her second event in the paid ranks last week, adding the Grecotel Amirandes Ladies Open title for an impressive start to her career.
The 23-year-old from Tonsberg started the final round with a three shot lead over Nielsen, which she extended to five, with birdies on the 2nd and 6th holes, as Nielsen bogeyed the opening hole.
Daffinrud never looked in danger of relinquishing her comfortable lead, even after a string of three birdies in a row from the 14th to 16th holes for Nielsen narrowed the gap to three shots.
“Winning in the Azores gave me a lot of confidence but it was important not to get ahead of myself as it was a whole new tournament. I feel a bit overwhelmed and it’s hasn’t really sunk in yet I’ve been playing my own game and not getting to far ahead of myself.”
“I’m so excited to have one back to back, it has been a crazy two weeks. My ball striking was really good and I felt like I could make a birdie on every hole. But it is important to refocus now but I’m going celebrate by having a day off and properly wash my clothes.”
Daffinrud will now play in the final LETAS event, the WPGA International Challenge at Stoke by Nayland, in an effort to earn her exemption to the Ladies European Tour in 2015 by finishing in the top five of the LETAS order of merit. She had originally planned to take up an invitation to play in the LET’s South African Women’s Open but her win this week has moved Daffinrud into 7th place on the order of merit and within striking distance of the top five exemptions.
Sweden’s Anna Svenstrup, enjoyed her best finish this season, finishing in a tie for third place alongside recent Open Generali de Strasbourg winner, Georgia Hall, at 2 under par, 211.
France’s Astrid Vayson de Pradenne finished alone in 5th place at even par, after a closing 72.
England’s Charlotte Wild moved to 14th place on the LETAS order of merit, with a final round 69, 2 under par and 6th position.
With the top three players on the LETAS order of merit, Emma Westin, Lina Boqvist and Isabella Ramsay, guaranteed their 2015 playing rights on LET next season, the two remaining cards will be decided at the WPGA International Challenge, which will take place at Stoke by Nayland Hotel Golf & Spa from the 16 – 18 October.
