Valentine Derrey - Photo: © Alexis Orloff

The last lap of the Terre Blanche Ladies Open will not have reserved much of the suspense for the spectators who came to watch, in the rain, the outcome of the first round of the LET Access Series 2017. In the lead with a step ahead at the start of the latter day, Valentine Derrey was responsible for quickly destroying any hope of a comeback for her rivals.

An overwhelming victory

Author of two consecutive birdies on her first two holes, the Frenchwoman quickly flew to the top of the leaderboard, counting four strokes ahead of her closest pursuers. After two more birdies at 6 and 7, the 29-year-old is -11 and can see it coming. This is what she will do. Mastering his game perfectly without making the slightest mistake, Derrey let his opponents get their feet wet in the superb carpet of the Terre Blanche golf course. With seven strokes ahead at the start of the 18th, victory is assured. This does not prevent him from posting a last birdie of a good putt at 3 meters. With an impeccable card of 67 (-5), the Parisienne finally won with eight strokes in advance (-12 total). “I started my game very well with two good putts, she analyzed. Then, with the rain, we had to be patient. My lead allowed me to manage a little on the return, even if it was never played until the last hole. ”

Regular resident of the Ladies European Tour, the player from St Cloud did not shy away from her pleasure after this victory at the lower level. She will find the European elite in ten days in Morocco for the Lalla Meryem Cup in full confidence: “Such a week validates the work done with my coach. It shows that what we did together works, that he gave me the right keys. "

The crazy rise of Sophie Giquel-Bettan

Another player to have built up confidence at the end of this week in the Var, Sophie Giquel-Bettan is taking advantage of an exceptional last lap to take second place. Improbable in view of her failed first round on Friday (76, +4) which relegated her to 51st place. After a slight close yesterday (70, -2), the Bretonne made this Sunday the best card of the week. "Yet I started badly, then she commented. I missed a lot of shots at the start of the game and then I clicked after 4 or 5 holes. ” At -3 after 16 holes, the 34-year-old player finished strong with a birdie at 8 and above all an exceptional eagle at 9, the most difficult hole of the week. “The start was advanced today, She says. But it didn't really change much. I hit a 3 wood at the start and had the same distance to the flag behind. At 153 meters, I hit my full flag iron 4 and it came in! ” With her card of 66 (-6), Giquel-Bettan therefore takes second place in the tournament, along with the Spanish Mireia Prat (-4 total).

First Top 10 for Sauzon

Fourth after 2 laps, Agathe Sauzon retains her place despite a more complicated last lap (74, + 2), marked by 4 bogeys on the return. At -3 total, the young Valentinoise achieves her first Top 10 as a professional player and will also approach her season on the LET with full confidence. Despite a good last lap (70, -2), Ariane Provot fails at the gates of the Top 10. Twelfth (-1), she is two strokes ahead of Emilie Alonso (16th, +1). Behind, Isabelle Boineau is 21st (+3), Gwladys Nocera and Alexandra Vilatte-Farret 29th (+4).