Boeljon wins title at first event of LET season Down Under

GOLD COAST, Australia - The Associated Press

Christel Boeljon birdied the last hole to win the Australian Ladies Masters by one stroke yesterday and avoid a four-way playoff.

The 24-year-old Dutch golfer closed with a 4-under 68 in the final round to finish with a 21-under total 267 at the 5,954-meter Royal Pines course, hitting the lead for the first time on the par-five last hole.
She was one shot clear of overnight leader So Yeon Ryu and Kim Ha-neul of South Korea and Italy’s Diana Luna.

“It’s never over until it’s over,” Boeljon said after overcoming a three-shot deficit to clinch the Gold Coast event, which was jointly sanctioned by the Australian Ladies Professional Golf and Ladies European tours. “I never guessed I’d be holding this trophy, it’s very special..”

It was a second LET victory for Boeljon, who made her debut for Europe in the Solheim Cup last year. U.S. Open champion Ryu started the final round with a three-stroke lead, due mainly to her 11-under 61 on Friday, but closed with an even-par 72 and was overtaken on the last hole. “I think I need to trust myself more,” Ryu said. “My mind is too busy, I need to think simple.”

Luna and Kim each finished with rounds of 67 to claim a share of second place. Sharing the lead with three others as she walked to the 18th tee, Boeljon reached the green in two and, with Ryu in the greenside bunker, left her eagle putt about five feet short. She made the easy birdie putt while Ryu flew her bunker shot too far.

Lydia Ko, the 14-year-old New Zealand amateur who become the youngest winner of a professional golf tour event with her victory at the New South Wales Open last weekend, finished as the leading amateur on 6 under at the Ladies Masters. Veteran Laura Davies of England shot a 71 and finished well off the pace at 4 under.

National Golf Club in Turkey’s golf destination Belek will host a leg of the 2012 LET, Turkish Ladies Open, on May 10-13.