(Helsinki GC, Finland – August 28, 2005) Lisa Holm Sorensen of Denmark claimed her maiden professional victory at the Ladies Finnish Masters today after it was ended after 36 holes.
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| The mini tornado |
She said: “The whole tent was coming straight at me.”
Tournament officials who telephoned the met office this morning were given no warning as to the severe weather conditions and only rain showers were expected. However, forecasters later predicted more severe weather for the afternoon and hence the tournament was cancelled after 36 holes, with the final results those at the end of the second round of the tournament.
Sorensen, the surprise winner, who was previously 108th on the LET Money list, was somewhat confused after the incident, which shook up many players.
“I’m not really sure how to react,” Sorensen said. “I’m happy to win but sorry that it had to happen this way.”
Yvonne Cassidy, the Tournament Director, made the decision to evacuate the course at the first opportunity.
She said: “I was on the third tee when all of a sudden, just out of nowhere, the tornado whipped up in the trees and started moving fast towards the Piccadilly. That’s when I started screaming in the radios to evacuate the course because it was wicked. It was not a pretty sight.”
One eye witness said: “The temperature just dropped and then you suddenly saw the clouds whirling around above you and everything started getting sucked up.”
Local player Minea Blomqvist, who was playing the first hole at the time, said: I’m just glad that more people weren’t injured. It’s not the sort of thing that ever happens in Finland.”
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