Spanish amateur Natalia Escuriola claimed her first title on the LET Access Series as she took home the CitizenGuard LETAS Trophy at Rinkven Golf Club near Antwerp in Belgium on Saturday.
Escuriola shot a closing round of 68 for a three round total of 11 under par and a three shot victory over Germany’s Olivia Cowan.
Currently ranked 36th on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Escuriola pulled away from Cowan with birdies on the 12th and 16th holes and an eagle on the 14th, where she holed a 25 metre pitch shot.
“I played really well on the back nine. I made two birdies and an eagle, holing a shot,” said the 20-year-old from Castellon. “I felt nervous coming down the 18th. I will be playing all the LETAS events and I want to be on the LET next year.”
Escuriola was aware that her good friend, fellow Spanish amateur Luna Sobron, was also chasing for the title. Sobron held a one shot lead after 12 holes but bogeyed the 13th to fall a shot behind Escuriola. Sobron then parred the remaining five holes to finish in third place at eight under par.
Cowan made a late charge with birdies on the 17th and 18th to finish at nine under par and claim the first prize cheque for €4,834. The 19-year-old professional maintained second position on the LETAS order of merit with fellow countrywoman Isi Gabsa (71) consolidating her position at the top, with a fourth place finish at seven under par.
Malaysia’s Ainil Bakar shot a closing round of 69, to finish in fifth place at five under par.
The LET Access Series now moves to Germany for the CreditGate24 GolfSeries Hamburg Open, which takes place at Treudelberg GC from July 30 – August 1
