Germany’s Johanna Kirch produced a sensational final day which included birdieing three of her final five holes to become the first German winner of the English Girls’ Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship since 2018, claiming a three-shot victory over England Girls’ Squad player Lauren Crump at Prestbury Golf Club.
Starting the day eight shots behind overnight leader Crump, Kirch stormed through with rounds of 68 (-5) and 71 (-2) to finish on 8-under-par, with the victory making her Germany’s first champion since Celina Sattelkau triumphed at East Devon seven years ago.
She said: “It’s great! I really didn’t expect to be standing here when teeing off this morning. It was very exciting the last few holes, many nerves but I’m delighted I got it done.
“We came here as a team this week and it’s always great to represent your country. I’m grateful for all the support, so of course it’s nice to be at the top of the leaderboard.
“Today, my putting went really well. The greens were rolling really good and I think nearly everything went in for me. I can’t think of a time where I’ve putted any better so that was definitely key for me. I didn’t expect that I was even in contention. I was standing on 17, looking at my putt and I couldn’t not look at the leaderboard and I saw that I was up there, I didn’t really believe it and I still don’t now!”
A dramatic final day saw the championship turned on its head. Crump began the morning at 12-under-par, but a third-round 77 (+4) opened the door for the chasing pack. Kirch, from Frankfurter Golf Club, took full advantage, carding a superb 68 (-5) in the group behind to leapfrog England Girls’ Squad player Daisy Lee (Lancaster) into 2nd and move to 6-under-par, cutting the deficit to just two shots heading into the fourth and final round.
Crump responded positively, opening her final round with back-to-back birdies. Kirch matched her stride for stride, however, and with both players reaching the turn in 1-under-par, the gap remained at two shots in Crump’s favour with nine holes to play.
The pivotal moment came over Prestbury’s demanding closing stretch, which had proved one of the toughest tests of the week. Kirch seized her opportunity on the 14th, making birdie while Crump suffered a double bogey, bringing the pair level at the top of the leaderboard. It was at this point where the momentum shifted and Kirch continued on her charge.
When Crump dropped another shot on the 15th, the German moved into the lead for the first time and from there, never looked back. Birdies at the par-4 16th and par-3 17th underlined her superb finish and gave Kirch breathing room heading down the final hole.
A closing par was enough to complete a remarkable day and spark celebrations on the 18th green as her teammates rushed forward to congratulate the new champion. Crump signed off with a birdie at the last to secure solo 2nd on 5-under-par.
Germany’s Lena Marie Geier and England’s Lee shared 3rd after finishing level-par for the championship, while Germany’s, YooNa Bae, climbed into 5th on the final day thanks to two rounds of 72 (-1).
In the Hazards Salver, awarded to the leading GB&I player aged under 16, Wales’ Alicia Kelly claimed the prize with a total of 12-over-par, finishing one shot ahead of Charlotte Gosling-Evans (Springs). View the final leaderboard here.
She said: “It’s great! I really didn’t expect to be standing here when teeing off this morning. It was very exciting the last few holes, many nerves but I’m delighted I got it done.
“We came here as a team this week and it’s always great to represent your country. I’m grateful for all the support, so of course it’s nice to be at the top of the leaderboard.
“Today, my putting went really well. The greens were rolling really good and I think nearly everything went in for me. I can’t think of a time where I’ve putted any better so that was definitely key for me. I didn’t expect that I was even in contention. I was standing on 17, looking at my putt and I couldn’t not look at the leaderboard and I saw that I was up there, I didn’t really believe it and I still don’t now!”
A dramatic final day saw the championship turned on its head. Crump began the morning at 12-under-par, but a third-round 77 (+4) opened the door for the chasing pack. Kirch, from Frankfurter Golf Club, took full advantage, carding a superb 68 (-5) in the group behind to leapfrog England Girls’ Squad player Daisy Lee (Lancaster) into 2nd and move to 6-under-par, cutting the deficit to just two shots heading into the fourth and final round.
Crump responded positively, opening her final round with back-to-back birdies. Kirch matched her stride for stride, however, and with both players reaching the turn in 1-under-par, the gap remained at two shots in Crump’s favour with nine holes to play.
The pivotal moment came over Prestbury’s demanding closing stretch, which had proved one of the toughest tests of the week. Kirch seized her opportunity on the 14th, making birdie while Crump suffered a double bogey, bringing the pair level at the top of the leaderboard. It was at this point where the momentum shifted and Kirch continued on her charge.
When Crump dropped another shot on the 15th, the German moved into the lead for the first time and from there, never looked back. Birdies at the par-4 16th and par-3 17th underlined her superb finish and gave Kirch breathing room heading down the final hole.
A closing par was enough to complete a remarkable day and spark celebrations on the 18th green as her teammates rushed forward to congratulate the new champion. Crump signed off with a birdie at the last to secure solo 2nd on 5-under-par.
Germany’s Lena Marie Geier and England’s Lee shared 3rd after finishing level-par for the championship, while Germany’s, YooNa Bae, climbed into 5th on the final day thanks to two rounds of 72 (-1).
In the Hazards Salver, awarded to the leading GB&I player aged under 16, Wales’ Alicia Kelly claimed the prize with a total of 12-over-par, finishing one shot ahead of Charlotte Gosling-Evans (Springs). View the final leaderboard here.
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