LARA TADIOTTO TAKES

MAURITIUS LADIES

OPEN TITLE FROM
LORA FAIRCLOUGH

Belgium’s Lara Tadiotto successfully defended a two-stroke overnight lead to secure the Ladies’ Mauritius Open title on the windswept Legend course at Belle Mare Plage with rounds of 72, 75 and 76 for a seven-over-par final total of 223.
Title-holder Lora Fairclough from Lancashire was runner-up on 225 with scores of 76, 73 and 76
The 33-year-old Tadiotto, pictured right with the trophy, had laid the foundations for her victory in the opening two rounds, launching her challenge with a three-over-par 75 on Friday and following up with the only level-par round of the tournament in difficult conditions on the second day.
A one-stroke lead over four players – Melodie Bourdy, defending champion Lora Fairclough, Isabella Maconi and Silvia Knaubel – after the first round was extended by a further stroke in round two.
The final round on Sunday saw Fairclough close the gap on the front nine and then take a slender lead.
But at the crucial 14th hole, Taddioto sank a 40ft putt for birdie while Fairclough missed a six-footer for par.
After that, Taddioto maintained her slender one-stroke advantage and when Fairclough three-putted the 16th and 17th for bogeys, the title was in her grasp.
However, a pulled drive at the final hole forced the Belgian to reload and from her second drive, Tadiotto put a three-wood approach on the green.
Fairclough had the slight advantage but a two-putt for par was answered by a two-putt for bogey by Tadiotto and the title was hers.
“I am really pleased for Lara,” said a gracious Fairclough at the presentation ceremony. “She played well and deserved her victory.”
Tadiotto responded by saying that she was thrilled by her success:
“I have won in Belgium but not outside the country, so this is a pleasing success for me.
“It may have been a small field but the competition was strong and to win here was important to me.”
Third-placed Bourdy enjoyed a good tournament although her temperament in the final round probably cost her a chance of a higher placing, while the expected challenge from Lynn Kenny failed to materialise. The Scot finished fourth on 229 with scores of 77, 76 and 76.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
223 L Tadiotto (Bel) 75 72 76
225 L Fairclough (Eng) 76 73 76.
227 M Bourdy (France) 76 73 78.
229 L Kenny (Scotland) 77 76 76.
231 I Maconi (Italy) 76 74 81.
247 C Foong (Canada) 86 82 79.
252 S Knauber (Germany) 76 90 86.
254 K Fisher (England) 85 80 89.
257 L Wright (England) 80 89 88.
266 S Hunter (England) 87 88 91.