Finland’s Krista Bakker claimed her first professional victory at the CreditGate24 GolfSeries Hamburg Open, with a three shot win over France’s Emilie Piquot.
Bakker lead the tournament from the first day after opening with a 67, 5 under par, in tough windy conditions, which could not have been more different for the final round, with benign, warm sunny weather.
The 21-year-old felt some nerves starting the final round but managed a bogey free round with birdies on the 6th and 8th holes.
“I hit it good today, pretty solid from the tee to green. The putts didn’t drop but it was pretty solid. It feels awesome, it’s my first win as a professional, so it feels so good. I want to thank my coaches, my family and my boyfriend who was caddying this week,” Bakker said.
The Finn, who has limited playing rights on the Ladies European Tour, will play some LETAS events this season in order to try and earn her LET card via the Series by finishing in the top five places on the order of merit. Bakker moved into 7th place on the ranking after this week’s win.
France’s Emilie Piquot, starting the final round three shots behind Bakker, bogeying the par three 3rd hole but recovered with birdies on the 6th, 11th and crucially on the 18th, to pull one shot ahead of German players Isi Gabsa and Olivia Cowan, who both finished on a 5 under par total, 211.
The French player recorded her best finish of the season and moved into 8th place on the LETAS order of merit.
Gabsa maintains her position at the top of the order of merit with a tie for third place and will head to the United States this evening to compete in the LPGA Qualifying School, which starts next Monday at Mission Hills Golf Club in California.
Cowan’s third place finish also consolidates her 2nd place position 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.
The LET Access Series moves to Sweden next week for the Norrporten Ladies Open, which takes place at Sundsvall Golf Club from the 5 – 7 August.
