Tranlate this title La Sella, Charlotte Heath claims her first title in spanish

Charlotte Heath claimed her first Ladies European Tour title in a thrilling finish at the La Sella Open in Alicante. The 24-year-old Englishwoman, in her rookie season, finished at 10-under-par (carding a final round of 73) to win by two strokes, despite starting the day with a four-shot lead that evaporated over the course of the afternoon. After three days of bad weather, the players faced clear skies and sunshine, but also gusty winds that made the course more challenging. Heath played the front nine in 37, with a single bogey on the 5th, while fellow English player Helen Briem mounted a strong comeback, drawing level at 9-under after 13 holes. An immediate bogey from the German player allowed Heath to regain the sole lead. In the closing stretch, as Briem and Singapore’s Shannon Tan dropped shots, Alessandra Fanali set the clubhouse target at 8-under thanks to an excellent round of 68. The biggest threat came from Heath’s compatriot Alice Hewson, who finished with a birdie on the 18th (after narrowly missing an eagle putt that would have tied the match). Hewson and Fanali thus shared second place at 8-under. On the final hole, Heath found the fairway with her drive but ended up in an awkward spot to the right of the green with her second shot. With a precise pitch to within three meters, she holed the birdie putt to seal the most important victory of her career, taking home the €150,000 winner’s check.

Charlotte Heath, results

“It’s incredible. I’d been in the final group twice already this year, and the third time was the charm,” Heath commented. “Alex Long, my caddie, kept me calm and reminded me that I’d played well all week.” The English player admitted to having a mentally grueling day and looking at the leaderboard only once, after nine holes. “My iron play is usually my strength, but today it was my weak point. My chipping saved me.” Alessandra Fanali posted her best result of the season. “I’m really happy. I wasn’t thinking about the result this week; I just wanted to have fun again and play well. I didn’t expect to be in contention, so I’m very satisfied. Everything went well, especially my putting. It’s been a tough season in terms of results, but my game is improving and the results are starting to come.” For her part, Hewson spoke of a solid week on a course she particularly loves, made even more special by the presence of her family.

Trailing them, Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall sits in fourth place, while Pia Babnik (Slovenia) and Helen Briem share fifth. Babnik finished with a brilliant 67, tying with Liz Young for the day’s best score.

Among the other Italians, Alessia Nobilio (70-75-69) and Anna Zanusso (66-77-71) finished tied for 17th at 2-under par. Roberta Liti (72-76) missed the cut.

The Ladies European Tour now heads to Italy for the Buccellati Ladies Italian Open at Golf Club Milano, scheduled for September 25–27.