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LET 2023, Women's Irish Open, Dromoland Castle, Co Clare, Ireland: 31 Aug - 3 Sept
At Dromoland Castle: Van Dam's driver breaks; Soenderby wins after playoff; Aussie Rudgeley ends just one shot from the top
From LET Blog, 3/9/23:
It was a spectacular final day for Smilla Tarning Soenderby as she secured a dramatic playoff victory at the 2023 KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
The Dane headed into the final day in a tie for 21st place after rounds of 71-67-72 on the first three days at Dromoland Castle.
But Soenderby fired the round of her life – a 62 (-10) – to post the clubhouse lead and was later joined by Sweden’s Lisa Pettersson and Anne Van Dam of the Netherlands.
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Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley ended the tournament in fourth place on 15-under-par after shooting a round of 67 (-5) on the final day.
The LET rookie made a hot start with five birdies on her front nine, she then went bogey-bogey on 12 and 13 but recovered with back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 to record her best-ever LET result.
Rudgeley said: “I’m proud of myself, it’s my first year. I’m happy I went back home as it sorted a few things out. It was a solid week, I didn’t do too much wrong. It was my first time in this situation as well and good to be able to push all the way to the end. I loved it and it was good to be in contention.” Read more
From The Independent.ie, by Brian Keogh:
Anne Van Dam bizarrely broke her driver on the way to the first playoff hole and watched Denmark's Smilla Tarning Soenderby made a spectacular eagle to win her maiden LET title in an incredible finish to the KPMG Women's Irish Open at Dromoland Castle.
Nine strokes behind leader Van Dam overnight, Soenderby (23) made 11 birdies in a stunning 10-under 62 to set the target at 16-under, then waited two hours to discover she was in a playoff with the Dutch star, who shot 71, and Sweden's Lisa Pettersson, who shot 68.
Van Dam then broke her driver when heading to the 18th tee in a buggy for the playoff in one of the most bizarre incidents ever seen in televised golf. Read more
From The Irish Times, by Philip Reid:
The golfing gods have a way of administering justice; bestowing cruel fate on some, yet exultation on others, as Smilla Søenderby’s playoff win in the KPMG Women’s Irish Open – the 23-year-old Dane’s breakthrough win on the Ladies European Tour – showcased with all its heartbreak and joy.
For as Søenderby soaked in the applause of the large gallery and was showered in champagne by her tour compatriots following a brilliantly executed eagle three on the Par 5 18th hole, the first of sudden-death in a three-way play-off, the two vanquished players – Lisa Pettersson and Anne van Dam – departed, wondering what might have been. Read more
From BBC Sport:
Denmark's Smilla Soenderby won the Women's Irish Open as she eagled the first play-off hole following her sensational closing 10-under-par 62.
Soenderby, 23, was nine off the pace going into the final day but carded 11 birdies to finish on 16 under par.
Dutchwoman Anne van Dam led by three overnight at Dromoland Castle but a 71 put her in the play-off alongside Soenderby and Sweden's Lisa Pettersson. Read more
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