In one of the great fairytale wins of modern times, Northumberland’s Jess Baker was once again irrepressible in claiming the 119th Women’s British Amateur Championship at Hunstanton today.
FORMAT: 36-hole stroke play qualifier/ 6 rounds of matchplay
Having scraped into the knockout stages thanks to a 25-foot par putt at the last on Tuesday, the 19-year-old World No 518 came alive in the matchplay stages, taking out some of the best amateurs in Europe in stunning fashion.
And she maintained that sparkling form to the very end but could not quite believe it after seeing off Sweden’s Louise Rydqvist 4&3 in today’s final.
“It’s an amazing feeling, just incredible,” said the Gosforth Park Ladies player. “I can’t believe it. I’m absolutely stunned but I’m just so happy. I worked really, really hard to get here and it’s just such a satisfying feeling.
Baker reached the last eight of the English Amateur and British Amateur last year but this was another level of performance with most of the top players in Europe on show. She never had to play the final hole in any of her six knock-out matches although her golf today did not quite hit the heights compared to yesterday when she saw off Scotland’s Hannah Darling in the semi-finals.
The new champion added: “Yesterday, in particular, was an absolutely dream day. I holed everything and hit it amazing. It all came together yesterday to give me this opportunity.
“So, yeah, it’s been a long time coming and I’m just really proud of myself. I didn’t do anything special today. I just got ahead and then kept the lead. It was about the person making the least mistakes today.”
Baker’s win means she has now gained entry into the the Evian Championship (July 21-24), the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield (August 4-7) and next year’s US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach (July 5-9). She will also contest the Augusta National Women’s Amateur next spring (March 29-April 1)
“Playing in the AIG Women’s Open is something I’ve really wanted to do for a long time and this means I don’t have to pre-qualify which is great because that was the plan next week.
“And Augusta, oh, my gosh. That’s not really come to my mind yet to be honest. But it will be an incredible experience, They are all just great opportunities for me.”
She joins an impressive list of past winners including LPGA victor Leona Maguire and major winners Georgia Hall, Catriona Matthew and Anna Nordqvist – last year’s AIG Women’s Open Champion at Carnoustie.
Coached by Andy Paisley at Hexham Golf Club – the brother of Tour player, Chris – Baker won the closing four holes in a row to lead three-up at lunch after mistakes from her opponent, who is ranked 143rd in the world.
It was a tight contest in the afternoon but after the lead was extended to five up through 28 holes, Rydqvist was unable to make a stirring comeback.
It was a nervy start to the contest from both players in the blustery conditions and it was all square after ten holes, before Rydqvist’s birdie at the 13th took her ahead.
The Swede, though, struggled from the 15th and lost four holes on the bounce after wayward approach shots led to three straight bogeys and a double bogey at the 18th when she putted back off the green.
From three down at halfway, the University of South Carolina player, who had Sweden head coach Katarina Vangdal caddying for her, needed a fast start to the afternoon session and reduced her arrears with a birdie at the 20th. However a bogey at the tricky 24th (6th) – it’s played to an elevated green – saw the deficit return to three once more.
And Baker went five ahead after more dropped shots from Rydqvist at the 26th (8th) and 28th (10th) – her fourth of the afternoon – but the Swede has shown her battling qualities all week, especially beating top-ranked countrywoman Ingrid Lindblad in the last eight.
Rydqvist won the 29th (11th) and 30th (12th) after dropped shots from Baker and suddenly she was within three holes. Baker won the 31st to go four ahead but a 22-foot birdie at the par-3 14th (32nd) saw the Swede reply once more.
But he Newcastle native, though, held her nerve, rolling in a winning five-foot putt for birdie at the 33rd and, in a further honour, Hunstanton handed the new champion honorary membership at the prize presentation.