Johanna Gustavsson
Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson won the Larvik Ladies Open in a record-breaking fourteen-hole sudden death play-off against Spain’s Natalia Escuriola at Larvik Golf Club in Norway.
The longest sudden death play-off in professional golf was previously eleven holes and it took an extra three holes to separate Gustavsson and Escuriola.
Both players birdied the 18th hole in regular play to get into the play-off, with Gustavsson recording a final round 70 and Escuriola a 71, for an 8 under par, 208 total.
Gustavsson and Escuriola both recorded an opening bogey on the first play-off hole, the 368 yard par four 9th, which they played three times before alternating between the 1st and 9th holes until the 10th extra hole. The two players then moved back to the 9th hole until the Gustavsson was able to break the deadlock on the 14th extra hole with a birdie three.
The 22-year-old was delighted with her first win on the LET Access Series, which takes the Swede to 4th on the order of merit.
“It feels amazing of course, I really feel like my hard work has paid off this season and I’ve felt that a win wasn’t far away. I played good this week and I could never imagine it would end like this! It was a long and fun day.”
Swaziland’s Nobuhle Dlamini shot a final round of 69 for a 7 under par total and 3rd place on her own.
France’s Astrid Vayson de Pradenne (68), Kym Larratt (68) from England and Norway’s Rachel Raastad (70) all tied for 4th position at six under, 210.
Sweden’s Linn Anderson shot 66, the low round of the day to tie with Spanish and Norwegian amateurs Luna Sobron and Renate Hjelle Grimstad at 5 under par in 7th place.
The LET Access Series moves to Sweden for next week’s Sölvesborg Ladies Open hosted by Fanny Sunesson, where Gustavsson will be keen to build on this week’s success in her home country.
Johanna Gustavsson celebrates victory with her caddie
