Johanna Gustavsson and her boyfriend, Alex Wrigley
Johanna Gustavsson made 16 birdies and not a single bogey on her way to claiming the Ribeira Sacra Patrimonio de la Humanidad International Ladies Open title at Augas Santas Balneario & Golf Resort, in Panton, Spain.
The Swede played impressively throughout the week on the challenging and intricate course, recording rounds of 64, 64 and 66, for a three round total of 194, the lowest 54-hole total recorded in the LET Access Series’ history.
Gustavsson knows about records, her first win coming in a fourteen-hole play-off, three year’s ago at the Larvik Ladies Open in Norway. This victory will feel very special, as the Swede’s boyfriend, Alex Wrigley, who is also a professional golfer and now Gustavsson’s coach, was in attendance and following her from the sidelines.
“I feel very happy I played great this week and I’m so glad I managed to keep myself calm and just bring it home. I felt quite comfortable actually. I started making a few birdies early on so I think it helped keeping me calm.”
“It’s always tricky, you try and stay calm but obviously you’re going to be nervous, at least at some point in the round but no I just wanted to keep playing my golf and see what happened.”
When asked about how she will celebrate, there is an important football match to be played on Saturday between Sweden and England in the FIFA World Cup. Gustavsson hopes that she will have cause for a double celebration. Alex, who is English, is hoping he is the one who can enjoy the two victories.
Astrid Vayson de Pradenne continued her good form this season, posting a final day 69 for a 10 under par total and second place on her own. The French woman has already booked her place into the Ricoh Women’s British Open and The Evian Championship, and also earned her LET card with her win at the Jabra Ladies Open, at the end of May.
Spain’s Eun Jung Ji Kim claimed third place on her own, closing with a 71 and a three round total of nine under, 201, just one shot ahead of fellow Spaniard, Elia Folch who closed with a 66 to sit alongside France’s Manon Molle (70) at 7 under par.
The players now have a month off before the next LETAS event, the Anna Nordqvist Vasteras Open at Vasteras Golf Club in Sweden, from the 9 – 11 August.