Droitwich’s Grace Bowen picked up the biggest win of her fledgling career with a stunning victory at the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship on Sunday.
The University of Stirling student claimed a two-shot triumph over nearest challenger, Ireland’s Jessica Ross, in the 54-hole stroke play event held at Royal Troon.
Rounds of 71 and 69 at the Portland Course on Friday and Saturday were followed by a score of 71 around the Old Course at Royal Troon on Sunday. That left the English golfer on 5-under for the championship and ahead of the chasing pack led by Ross.
There was drama until the end when Ross – trailing by three playing the final hole – saw her approach from 140 yards strike the pin and dance around the cup. An eagle from the fairway would have turned the heat up on Bowen.
While Ross made an easy birdie to shoot a brilliant round of 68, the English golfer carded a steady par for her 71 and that was enough to seal a deserved win.
The week began with 120 female golfers from 15 different nations vying for the prestigious title. In the end, Bowen proved herself to be a true champion.
Earlier this year, the maths undergraduate won a Student Tour Series event in Spain. Last year, she finished runner-up in the English Women’s Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool.
She said: "I’m just so happy to have won. To win a stroke play event of this importance is the best victory to date. It’s been a great week in challenging conditions and Jess made it really difficult for me today, but I’m so proud to have won.”
Bowen joins the likes of Mel Reid, Annabell Dimmock and Lily May Humphreys as leading English players to have won the Helen Holm.
Bowen, with dad Adrian on the bag and a constant support throughout the week, won’t have much time to enjoy the win.
She explained: “I’ve now got exams coming up so the clubs will be locked away for a week or two. But I’ll enjoy this for a few more hours before I start to think about time in the library!”
As well as the distinctive championship trophy, the victor also receives an invite to a LETAS event because of the Helen Holm being one of the counting events towards the new European Amateur Order of Merit.
Elsewhere, England Golf Women’s Squad players Lily Hirst and Elizabeth Wilson’s scores combined to help England win the team element of the championship, the International Cup.
Rounds of 71 and 69 at the Portland Course on Friday and Saturday were followed by a score of 71 around the Old Course at Royal Troon on Sunday. That left the English golfer on 5-under for the championship and ahead of the chasing pack led by Ross.
There was drama until the end when Ross – trailing by three playing the final hole – saw her approach from 140 yards strike the pin and dance around the cup. An eagle from the fairway would have turned the heat up on Bowen.
While Ross made an easy birdie to shoot a brilliant round of 68, the English golfer carded a steady par for her 71 and that was enough to seal a deserved win.
The week began with 120 female golfers from 15 different nations vying for the prestigious title. In the end, Bowen proved herself to be a true champion.
Earlier this year, the maths undergraduate won a Student Tour Series event in Spain. Last year, she finished runner-up in the English Women’s Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool.
She said: "I’m just so happy to have won. To win a stroke play event of this importance is the best victory to date. It’s been a great week in challenging conditions and Jess made it really difficult for me today, but I’m so proud to have won.”
Bowen joins the likes of Mel Reid, Annabell Dimmock and Lily May Humphreys as leading English players to have won the Helen Holm.
Bowen, with dad Adrian on the bag and a constant support throughout the week, won’t have much time to enjoy the win.
She explained: “I’ve now got exams coming up so the clubs will be locked away for a week or two. But I’ll enjoy this for a few more hours before I start to think about time in the library!”
As well as the distinctive championship trophy, the victor also receives an invite to a LETAS event because of the Helen Holm being one of the counting events towards the new European Amateur Order of Merit.
Elsewhere, England Golf Women’s Squad players Lily Hirst and Elizabeth Wilson’s scores combined to help England win the team element of the championship, the International Cup.
Elizabeth Wilson (left) and Lily Hirst
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org