Belgium’s Fanny Cnops held her nerve in tough, windy conditions to claim the Lavaux Ladies Championship at Golf de Lavaux in Switzerland on the LET Access Series. Cnops recorded a final round of 72, for a 7 under par total and a three shot victory.cnop
The players had enjoyed near perfect conditions for the first two rounds but the final day was a whole different challenge. With cooler temperatures and windy conditions, players were tested on the challenging Golf de Lavaux course.
Cnops, the overnight leader, alongside France’s Marie Fourquier, bogeyed the 3rd, 4th and 7th on the outward nine but the Belgian, with the encouragement of her caddy, Laura de Coster, decided to try and work with the wind on the homeward nine, recording three birdies on the 12th, 14th and 17th.
“I didn’t expect this much wind because I looked at the weather forecast and I’m staying twenty minutes away but lower at a lake, and saw that there was not that much wind and I got here this morning and I had shorts on, so I wasn’t really prepared for it.”
“It took me a few holes to really get into it. So I lost a few shots but they are tough holes and a lot of people lost a few shots, so it’s especially my caddy who kept me calm because I was obviously frustrated. But she was like come on just keep going and believing in it and stay positive. You just have to start playing with the wind instead of against it. She doesn’t play golf at all. It’s the second time she caddied for me, one time in South Africa and I finished well on the LET so she’s bringing me a lot of luck.”
Cnops credited her solid long game for her good play during the week.
“My iron play was pretty good today, I think distance control was good. After nine holes, I figured out the wind so that was better. But off the tee was nice too today. I didn’t see a lot of trouble so I think that was the key with the wind to actually have a good short iron to the green. I think that was very important.”
“I can’t really believe it yet. I think it’s just going to get into my head maybe tomorrow or in a few days. I’m just so happy, really happy.”
France’s Emie Peronnin and Therese Nerpin of Sweden finished in a tie for 2nd place. Peronnin shot a closing 73 and Nerpin a 70 to finish at four under par. For both players, it’s their best performance on LETAS to date, moving Peronnin up to 10th on the LETAS order of merit, and Nerpin into 19th place.
Local favourite Kim Metraux (74) finished in a tie for 4th place, with Lucie Andre (71) and Sarah Nilsson at 3 under par.
The LET Access Series now moves to Belgium for the Belfius Ladies Open, which takes place from the 28 – 30 June, at Royal Bercuit Golf Club.
