Carly Booth Photo: Dog Leg Media
Scotland’s Carly Booth claimed the first title of her career as a professional after she saw off Frenchwoman Marion Ricordeau in a play-off for the Dinard Ladies Open in France.
Booth three-putted the par-four 18th at Dinard Golf Club in Brittany to drop back into a tie with Ricordeau on one under par in the second Ladies European Tour Access Series event of the 2012 season. She then birdied the same hole in the play-off after hitting a punch eight-iron to six feet.
Booth said: “If I’d had a par on the last in regulation play I would have won it but I still did it! Of course I was delighted but I think it took a moment to sink in. I’ve been hitting it well the last few months so it’s nice to see it pay off.”
Seven places behind the leader Ricordeau at the start of the third and final round, the 19-year-old from Comrie in Perthshire had a two under 67 in cold and windy conditions.
She hit a pitching wedge to five feet and holed the putt for her first birdie of the day at the par-four third hole, but was back to level for the front nine after missing the green and making a bogey at the ninth.
She birdied the 14th and 15th, sinking putts of 40 and eight feet respectively, before a scorer on the 16th hole informed her that she was lying in second place.
She then birdied the 17th after hitting a 56 degree wedge to 12 feet from the flag before drama on the 18th green ensued.
It was third time lucky for Booth in play-offs, as she missed out at Ricoh Women’s British Open qualifying at Panmuir last year and also at LET Final Qualifying School for the 2012 season at La Manga Club earlier this year.
“I am so happy and a little surprised as I struggled with my putting all week. To be honest I’ve been playing really but I was still not expecting to win. My main focus has been to enjoy it,” Booth said.
She won’t be celebrating with a glass of champagne as she does not drink, but added: “I’ll celebrate with a nice steak and a cup of coffee. It’s been a great week in Dinard and a really good confidence boost.”
Booth, who is taught by Sandy Smith at Ladybank near Gleneagles, spent a month practicing in Dubai after Q School and said: “I have been hitting it well and have not been working on anything in particular but worked hard on my chipping and putting.”
Ricordeau was disappointed not to have claimed her second LETAS title after winning the Terre Blanche Ladies Open last month, but will extend her lead on the 2012 order of merit.
It was also a successful week for another Scot, Katy McNicoll, who shot a final round of four under 65 to share third place with Frenchwoman Elena Giraud on one over par.
The 2011 order of merit winner Marieke Nivard of the Netherlands was one shot further back in a tie for fifth place with Denmark’s Julie Tvede and French pair Julie Greciet and Jade Schaeffer.
The LET Access Series now heads to Zaragoza in Spain for next week’s event at CG La Peñaza, from April 19-21.
