Ariane Provot Photo: Frida Bräster
France’s Ariane Provot claimed her first LETAS victory with a one-hole sudden death play-off win against Scotland’s Laura Murray and Swede Lynn Carlsson at the Sölvesborg Ladies Open hosted by Fanny Sunesson on Saturday.
Provot shot the joint low round of the final day, 65, along with her playing partner Murray for both players to book their place in the play-off at an 8 under par total, 216. It took an eagle three on her 17th hole and a chip in from just off the back edge of the 18th green for Nilsson to also play her way into the play-off with a closing round of 68.
Playing the first play-off hole, both Murray and Provot found the middle of the 18th fairway and Carlsson drove into the right rough. Again, both players hit the green, Provot to 12 feet and Murray leaving herself a 15 foot birdie putt.
Coming out of the rough, Carlsson was unable to control the spin and found herself in a similar position as she had on her 54th hole, just off the back edge of the green. This time the Swede was unable to hole out and tapped in for her par four.
Murray’s birdie attempt came up just a roll short of dropping into the hole, which left the stage clear for Provot to hole her birdie putt for the title. The Frenchwoman let out a loud scream as the ball dropped into the hole.
”I can´t believe this is happening. Yesterday before my tee time I had serious pains in my back and I wasn´t sure if I would be able to finish the tournament. I found a masseur who came to the golf course and she really helped me.
After that I felt quite good in my back and I played good golf. So this last round I felt normal in my back again and this round is the best one I have ever played in my entire life. I lost my LET card last year so I hope I can manage to get it back now.”
Provot now moves into 14th place on the LETAS order of merit. At the close of the 2015 LETAS season, the top five players on the 2015 ranking will earn membership of the Ladies European Tour, while players in sixth to 20th positions will have the opportunity to progress to the final stage of Lalla Aicha Tour School for 2016.
England’s Charlotte Thompson shot a final round of 72 to finish in 4th place at 6 under par, 210 and Finn Oona Vartiainen claimed 5th spot, finishing on a total of 4 under par, 212.
Germany’s Olivia Cowan, who leads the LETAS ranking missed the Sölvesborg event but will be back in action next week when the LET Access Series travels to Finland for the HLR Golf Academy Open at Hillside Golf Club in Vihtii.
