An inspired up-and-down birdie at the first play-off hole earned Germany’s Antonia Steiner a stunning victory in the R&A Girls U16s Amateur Championship at Enville.
She became the fifth winner of the event after she and Czech ace Annika Kohoutek were side-by-side in a green-side bunker in two, Steiner going first and splashing out to 12 feet. Her rival then fizzed one to 25 feet before her birdie putt just came up short.
The champion made no such mistake and was in tears, especially after she phoned her mum to tell her good news.
Although the Hosel GC player, who finished tenth at The Scottish Girls last month, almost did not make it to the Staffordshire venue because of an injury.
“It’s the first big tournament that I’ve won, so I’m very happy,” she told The R&A. “I’ve called my mum and she’s very happy. She’s crying too.
“I wanted to win this, but I had slight problems with my hands last week so I wasn’t sure if I was going to come and play. I’m happy now that I came.”
Steiner won four tournaments last year, three in her homeland and one in The Netherlands but arrived at Enville without a WAGR ranking. She started the final round five back of Wales’s Isobel Kelly (Erewash Valley), who eventually finished a shot back in third. The 15-year-old missed a five-footer for birdie at the last to join the play-off.
“I didn’t make a lot of mistakes today,” Steiner added. “I was very calm, very confident and I stuck to my game plan. I think the key was how I played 11, 12 and 13. They’re very tough holes.”
“She had good body language today,” said German National coach Sebastian Ruhle.
“Enville Golf Club is quite tough and you have to have some game to win. Antonia showed that today. I’m super proud of her. This is going to be a big boost for her confidence, especially winning in a sudden death playoff with fans watching, photographers and media. So this can give Antonia good momentum for the rest of the year.”
Shropshire’s Lauren Crump took home the Liz Pook Trophy as the leading 14 years and under player. The 13-year-old Hill Valley member won the trophy by four shots over fellow English player Eleanor Lichtenhein. Crump played in the penultimate group in the final round, and placed equal fourth overall.
“This will definitely boost my confidence,” said Crump. “To play in the second last group in a championship like this is amazing.
“I’ve played in the last group in other tournaments, but never in something as big as this against older players. I think next year I can do even better.”