Curtis Cup star Rebecca Hudson closed an 11-year gap at Royal County Down yesterday when she won the British Women's Open Strokeplay Championship by five strokes from Scotland's Heather Stirling.
Back in 1989 Helen Dobson won both the British Amateur title and the British Open crown and not until yesterday did another player complete the double. In a remarkable year, Hudson also won the Spanish and Scottish Championships this season.
Hudson survived the horror of a triple-bogey at the 13th and closed with a two-over-par 76 for a two-under tournament total (294) and a massive five shots win over Scottish girl Heather Stirling but it was playing partner Alison Coffey, the Irish matchplay champion, who pushed the winner all the way to the closing few holes.
After making birdies at the ninth and 10th holes Hudson had gone to five-under and opened a three shot gap over Coffey but three holes later the pair was level at one-under-par. Hudson was short at the 11th to drop a stroke and then ran up an ugly eight at the 13th. Hudson drove the 16th for birdie and wedged to six feet at the last for a birdie four to polish off the championship.
Coffey's brave bid faded dramatically over the final four holes. With five to play, the Irish champion from Warrenpoint, was level with Hudson at one-under-par, but things turned sour for Coffey as sand cost her dearly at the next two holes.
"That was the turning point," reflected Coffey, who finished third. "I'm bitterly disappointed as I played badly all week."
Jesper Parnevik holds the halfway lead of the Air Canada Championship in British Columbia after shooting a 65 yesterday to add to his first round 66.
Grant Waite lies just one shot further back after a 67 yesterday. Tommy Armour, Steve Lowery and John L Lewis are all two shots off the lead with Lowry recording an impressive second-round 63.
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