Engstrom uses Kenya Ladies Open experience for maiden win

Women’s NSW Open report: What happened at Dubbo Golf Club?

Just under three months ago Julia Engstrom was walking off the 18th green at Vipingo Ridge having seen a seven-shot lead disappear in the final round of the Kenya Ladies Open.

The 18-year-old was on the verge of a momentous first tour victory but the magnitude of the situation proved just too much but now the Swede has put all that to bed.

Sweden’s @juliaengstrom1 hit the perfect 5-iron setting up this birdie putt on 18 to become the 2020 #WomensNSWOpen champion.

Let the celebrations begin! 🥳 🎉 🎊 pic.twitter.com/t1guf7CAKL

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) March 1, 2020

Engstrom began the final round of this week’s Australian event in a very different situation – five shots behind 54-hole leader Manon de Roey.

While her role was entirely reversed she had clearly taken a lot from her Kenyan experience and looked unflappable throughout Sunday as she carded a closing round of 4-under to finish on 14-under.

Sweden’s @juliaengstrom1 gets up and down from the bunker for birdie on 3️⃣

Now -1️⃣2️⃣ and only 2️⃣ behind Manon De Roey #WomensNSWOpen pic.twitter.com/I2Hiuq3T9M

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) February 29, 2020

Her development was summed up on the 72nd hole as she stepped onto the 18th tee tied for the lead and struck a perfect 5-iron to just a few feet – Engstrom had bogeyed the 18th hole on each of the previous three days.

“I bogeyed 18 in all three previous rounds and I decided this time, I was not going to bogey it and I hit a great shot and I didn’t realise how close it was until I heard the reaction from the crowd. It was amazing and a great finish to a great week,” Engstrom said.

On the other side of things De Roey endured a similar day to that of Engstrom in December as she slumped to a final round of 75 which included six bogeys, most devastatingly at the last which helped hand victory to her playing partner.