KirkwoodGolf

Sunday, June 10, 2007


GWLADYS NOCERA WINS KLM
LADIES OPEN BY SEVEN STROKES
IN FRENCH 1-2

REPORT BY COURTESY OF LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera claimed her fourth Ladies European Tour title with a comprehensive seven-stroke victory at the KLM Ladies Open in Holland today.
Having set a course record eight-under-64 in the first round, the 32-year-old from Moulins went wire to wire. She carded a two-under-par 70 in the second round and closed with a five-under 67.
Gwladys posted a final total of 15-under-par at Eindhoven Golf Club to finish seven shots clear of her compatriot Virginie Lagoutte-Clement, who had a 69.
England’s Georgina Simpson was third on seven-under-par after a 73.
Nocera became the seventh French winner of the event and the third consecutive French winner. She collected 27,000 Euros and 40 Solheim Cup points, increasing her lead on the European rankings and further bolstering her chances of regaining a place on the European Solheim Cup team to face the Americans in September.
“I guess this has shown me that I can win if I’m leading from the first round so its one more experience,” said Nocera, a three-time winner in 2006, when she captured the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open, the BMW Ladies Italian Open and the Catalonia Ladies Masters.
“I was getting a little bit frustrated because I was playing well but I couldn’t score well. This is a good time to win, but I guess it is always a good time to win!” she said.
Nocera held a two stroke lead over Simpson going into the final round.
MIXED FEELINGS
Simpson was disappointed with her final round but pleased with her position. “I struggled a bit and got off to an edgy start,” said Simpson who earned 12,600 Euros.
“But I scored in the middle; made a few birdies and just didn’t hole enough putts coming in. I managed to get over the nerves and play steady so I’m happy. I’ll take a third. One day I’ll come back and win this – maybe next year. I’m going to take a week off now so I’m looking forward to having some time at home.”
Sweden’s Louise Friberg carded a 66 and tied for fourth place on six-under-par with Belgian amateur Benedicte Toumpsin, who had a final round 68. Miss Toumpsin now heads for Alwoodley, Leeds where the British women's open amateur championship starts on Tuesday.
Clare Queen earned 2,466 Euros for a joint 16th finish on two-under-par 214. She had a final round of 73 with late bogeys at the 14th and 18th that cost her more than a few Euros.
Kathryn Imrie's take-home pay amouned to 669 Euros for a joint 56th place finish on 220. She had a 75 today with one birdie and four bogeys.
LEADING TOTALS
With final round.
201 G Nocera 67.
208 V Lagoute-Clement 69.
209 G Simpson 73.
210 L Friberg 66, B Toumpsin (am) 68.
211 J Mills 70, S Giquel 70, N David-Mila 74.
Other scores:
214 C Queen 73 (jt 16th).
220 K Imrie 75 (jt 56th).

FINAL TOTALS STILL TO COME

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