Monday 21 July 2014 08:06, UK
Scotland’s Kylie Walker survived a final round charge by Charley Hull of England to win the Ladies German Open.
Walker won with a par on the first extra hole at Golfclub Worthsee, two months after earning her first Ladies European Tour title in similar fashion, in a playoff at the Deloitte Ladies Open in Holland.
The 27-year-old Glaswegian began the final round with a six stroke lead, but Hull fired a 65 to join her on a 72-hole total of 25 under par.
Hull applied pressure from the start, opening with three straight birdies, and she narrowed Walker’s advantage to one stroke with a fourth birdie on the eighth hole.
An up and down for birdie from the bunker short and left of the ninth green saw Walker make the turn in level par 36 and she took a two-stroke lead into the back nine.
Hull birdied 12, but Walker then pulled two clear with a birdie on 13. Walker bogeyed 14 and both players birdied 15, before Hull eventually drew level by making a five-footer for birdie on the 17th green.
Both players missed birdie chances on the last hole and returned to the 18th tee in a heavy shower.
In the playoff, Hull hit her drive into trees and had to chip out. She then hit her third shot to within five feet of the flag but missed her par putt, whereas Walker was on the green for two and took a par.
“It was pretty nerve-wracking. Charley played brilliantly today because it was slightly tougher conditions as well. I wasn’t quite playing as well as I have done the rest of the week but I’m delighted to have hung in there today and get the win,” said Walker, who added a final round 71 to her three opening 64s.
“I was hoping not for a playoff, I was trying to win it in regulation play but it didn’t happen and Charley made a great birdie on 17 to tie for the lead.
“I was delighted in the playoff that I made a solid par and managed to get it. I’m delighted. I’m just living the dream at the moment. I’m really happy and enjoying my golf.”
Hull said: “I just blocked my tee shot on the last which was annoying but I hit a good shot in and a good putt. I’m quite happy.”
The 2013 German Open champion Carlota Ciganda of Spain fired a tournament low round of 63 to end in solo third place on 23 under par.
Germany’s Sandra Gal shared fourth place on 18-under with China’s Yu Yang Zhang, Gwladys Nocera from France and Welsh rookie Amy Boulden, who recorded her career best finish on the tour.
