There was a highly-eventful finish to the English Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship at Beau Desert last night with Italy’s Alessia Nobilio triumphing at the third extra hole.
FORMAT: 72-hole stroke play
Nobilio holed out from 20 feet to finally see off beat Denmark’s Christina Thouber and become the third foreign winner of a major England Golf women’s event in two years.
The 20-year-old, who is based at university in California, looked to have blown her chances after a bogey at 16 left her two behind long-time challenger Jessica Hall (Bishop Auckland) and Thouber, who closed with a 68 to get into a tie for the lead.
Unfortunately for the County Durham player she three-putted the last to close with a bogey, which meant she missed out on the play-off by a shot. Meanwhile her playing partner – Hall and Nobilio were in the final group – birdied the last two.
“It feels amazing,” said the new champion. “It’s been a long day but I’m so happy to be here as the winner. It was a beautiful day!
“The three play-off holes were tough and I was nervous, but I’m happy now.
“I hit good shots on the last few holes and I knew I could make birdies to get into the play-off.
“I’d also like to dedicate this win to my grandfather, Dante, who has not been well recently and also to my mum Chiara who I know was cheering me on from Italy!”
The first and 18th were the play-off holes and the two continental players parred both before the Italian came up with the clutch putt back at the opening hole.
It means she follows in the footsteps of recent English Women’s Amateur champions Abbie Teasdale (2022) and Kirsten Rudgeley (21). Both represent Australia.
Earlier Thouber had birdied 16 and 17 to force her way into the title picture while Hall also bogeyed 15 and 16 to open things up for the rest of the field.
On the front nine the Bishop Auckland star looked to have taken control as she got a two at the third and also birdied the sixth but a bogey at eight and a double two holes later gave the rest a chance.
Thouber certainly took it despite a poor start. The Dane bogeyed the second before birdies at eight and 11 helped her stay in the race.
Meanwhile Nobilio bogeyed three and seven as she initially dropped back. At birdie at nine certainly helped matters but bogeys at 10 and 16 looked to have ended her hopes before that birdie-birdie finish gave her a lifeline she ultimately grabbed with both hands. She holed out from 12 feet at the last.