Scotland’s Catriona Matthew earned a commanding 10-stroke victory at the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open presented by EventScotland.
The 41-year-old from East Lothian held a four shot lead heading into the final round after a course record 65 at her home course on Friday.
Despite the pressure of playing just five minutes’ from her North Berwick home, she fired a closing six under par 66 on a fine and breezy last day at Archerfield Links, where she was given honorary membership after winning the 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open. It paved the way for her fourth Ladies European Tour win and a first prize cheque of €33,000.
Matthew said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open on my home turf on a course I’m a member at and I live along the road. I felt a little bit of pressure at the start of the week, so I’m just delighted that I finished well.”
The five-time Solheim Cup player seemed to handle the situation with typical serenity but added: “Playing in front of a lot of family and friends, there was definitely pressure and it makes it extra special. I don’t get the chance to play in Scotland very often. It was great to see so many familiar faces in the crowd this week.”
It was her second victory in Scotland in a 17-year professional career and her first Scottish win since the 1998 WPGA Championship of Europe at Gleneagles.
“I played really well and got a hot putter and probably played my best golf today. I played really well on the front nine and knew I had eight shots, which in a way made it more difficult, but I managed to trot out a few pars,” she said.
Matthew will now head to next week’s CN Canadian Women’s Open and play two more events in the United States before returning to Europe for The Solheim Cup, from September 23-25.
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| Kylie tees off -- Click to enlarge (Photo Courtesy of Jean Campbell D&A) |
Final Leading Scores:
201 - Catriona Matthew (SCO) 70 65 66
211 - Hannah Jun (USA) 66 73 72
212 - Caroline Afonso (FRA) 70 71 71
213 - Elizabeth Bennett (ENG) 73 72 68
214 - Kylie Walker (SCO) 73 72 69, Lee-Anne Pace (SA) 72 71 71, Veronica Zorzi (ITA) 71 71 72, Ashleigh Simon (SA) 69 72 73
215 - Trish Johnson (ENG) 74 72 69, Mhairi McKay (SCO) 74 71 70, Felicity Johnson (ENG) 74 70 71, Melissa Reid (ENG) 76 67 72, Sophie Walker (ENG) 71 71 73
216 - Cassandra Kirkland (FRA) 75 69 72, Becky Brewerton (WAL) 72 71 73
217 - Vikki Laing (SCO) 73 72 72, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 73 71 73, Nikki Garrett (AUS) 74 69 74
Other Scots:
218 - Carly Booth (SCO) 72 74 72,
219 - Clare Queen (SCO) 71 72 76,
220 - Krystle Caithness (SCO) 77 71 72,
225 - Lynn Kenny (SCO) 75 76 74,
230 - Heather MacRae (SCO) 79 74 77
238 - Gemma Webster (SCO) 81 81 76
Report from the Ladies European Tour Website
