Emma Goddard
At the end of the first round of play in Lugo, Spain – France’s Salome Zasio was tied for eighth place alongside England’s Emma Goddard. By the time three rounds were in the books, the two were once again tied for the lead.
This sent the €35,000 Riberira Sacra Patrimonio de la Humanidad International Ladies Open into extra holes. On the first, both the amateur Zasio and professional Goddard made pars. The second went in the Englishwomen’s favour after she made a par to trump the Frenchwomen’s bogey, and clinched the title.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet to be honest. The girl I was playing with (Salome) was one ahead of me going into the back-nine and I just wanted to finish ahead of her to give myself a chance.”
Over three days Goddard (68,68,68) and Zasio (68,69,67) both climbed up the leaderboard. In her last three years on the LETAS, Emma has finished inside the top-three of a tournament at least once every season. She comes off the heels of a tied 4th in Belgium last week.
“I probably had a career up-and-down on the 15th. I hit it right off the tee into the trees. In the process of chipping out I nearly broke my wrist and managed to make a four from 160 yards.”
Goddard who is now off to try and qualify for the Ricoh Women’s British Open next week, had the same thoughts going into both play-off holes, “Fairway, green – give yourself a chance.”
The low amateur and runner-up Zasio says she was fully committed all week. “I had a lot of fun. It has been a long time since I have felt this confident over every shot.”
In her words, she felt a bit out of place during the second play-off hole. “I could feel the stress rising. Finishing where I did is a beautiful feeling, and I feel strong about how I finished this week.” Zasio has played five events on the LETAS so far and has made two cuts with this being her best finish.
Stefania Avanzo of Italy shot the low round of the day with a six-under 64 to move from +2 to -4, finishing tied 5th with three others including 36-hole leader Natasha Fear, who shot a closing round one-over, ending any hopes of a win. Thirteen players shot under par in the final round.
The tour heads to Sweden next month for the Castellum Ladies Open from August 2-4.
