Italy’s Alessia Nobilio today birdied the third extra hole in a play-off with Denmark’s Christina Thouber to win the English Women’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship.
A slick 20-footer holed from down and across the slope on the 1st hole at Beau Desert Golf Club was enough for the golfer from Milan to claim the silverware.
Before that late drama, Nobilio had staged a sensational fightback just to book her place in the play-off – conjuring up birdies on the final two holes of regulation play to force the shootout.
Rounds of 74,68, 74 and 71 took the Italian onto the same +7 score posted minutes earlier by Thouber who herself had birdied two of the last three holes.
A fine two-under par round of 68 followed on from Thouber’s previous scores of 72, 72 and 75.
It had looked odds-on that the play-off would be a three-way fight for the title.
However, there was bitter disappointment for Jess Hall who finished one shot further back after a closing round of 72.
The Bishop Auckland golfer had led the way from day one and only came undone on the back nine today.
A three-putt bogey at the last denied her a place in the play-off and was a cruel way for her to end a week where she excelled in tough, blustery conditions.
The plaudits eventually came to Nobilio, the former world number three in the WAGR rankings showing her ability to cope under pressure.
With dad Alfonso rooting for her from the side of the fairways all week, it was a special victory for the golfer who is still studying at the University of California, Los Angeles.
She said: “It feels amazing – it’s been a long day but I’m so happy to be here as the winner.
“It was a beautiful day!
“The three play-off holes were tough and I was nervous, but I’m happy now.
“I hit good shots on the last few holes and I knew I could make birdies to get into the play-off.
“I’m so happy that my dad had a chance to see me win. It’s been a special week with him.
“I wish I could spend more time with him on the golf course. I grew up with him on the course and it’s a big thank you to him.
“I’d also like to dedicate this win to my grandfather, Dante, who has not been well recently and also to my mum Chiara who I know was cheering me on from Italy!”
At the start of the final day’s play, Nobilio was tied with Hall and playing in the final group.
By the turn, Hall was two shots clear of Nobilio helped by birdies on the third and sixth holes and there was no sign of Thouber in Hall’s rearview mirror.
Hannah Screen from Berkhamsted and West Kent’s Ellie Burdies were still in the mix but they were always chasing and that’s a strategy fraught with danger on a course as tricky as Beau Desert.
Bogeys on 16 and 17 killed off Screen’s hopes while Burdis’ dropped shot on the second from last hole extinguished her hopes of winning after a fine week.
With Hall faltering and bogeying three of the last four holes and Thouber and Nobilio charging, it was down to the two continental European players to fight it out to the finish.
After both players made pars on the 1st and 18th holes, Nobilio prevailed with a birdie on the return trip up the first.
· The 2023 English Women’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship will be staged at Manchester Golf Club in Lancashire.
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