England's Melissa Reid won the first title of the 2017 Ladies European Tour season, the Oates Vic Open, when she beat Germany's Sandra Gal on the third play-off hole at the 13th Beach Golf Links in Australia.

Melissa Reid - Photo: DR

On an afternoon at Barwon Heads which saw gusty winds up to 55 km / h, the leadership changed hands several times before Sandra Gal took the lead at (-16) after delivering a superb card of 69 in the previous round.

Reid had a chance to win on the 72nd hole of the tournament after hitting a superb 3 wood in the front of the green on the 18th hole (par-5), but she ultimately took three putts, which sent her straight. play extra time.

On the first play-off hole, the two players were tied after Reid again took three putts from the edge of the green, the second additional hole being almost a carbon copy of the first.

On the third shot, Gal hit his ball just over the back of the green and failed, leaving Reid with a three-yard putt to win.

After winning his very first play-off, Reid said, “It was brutal there. It’s one of the strongest winds I’ve seen, especially with the start I got. I didn't think I hit a bad shot in the first five holes. It was a real test you know, and it brought me a lot and this incredible victory brings me immense joy.

A second cut was made after the third lap to keep only the top 35. Unfortunately, Alexandra Bonetti, who was only missing two points, Justine Dreher and Agathe Sauzon and did not qualify for the final round.

To see the final ranking: ladieseuropeantour.com/leaderboard/