Zackrisson a first time winner in Spain

Sweden’s Emma Zackrisson secured her first win on the Ladies European Tour on Sunday at the Open de Espana Femenino in Castellon.

Zackrisson, who led after the second and third rounds, posted a final round of 71 to finish on a four-round total of seven-under-par 281.

After three days of strong winds at Panoramica Golf and Country Club, the 29-year-old Swede began the day with a four stroke cushion and finished four ahead of three players. The defending champion Nikki Garrett (69) and Joanne Mills (71) from
Australia tied for second with Italian Diana Luna (69), on three-under-par 285.

Zackrisson’s victory was unexpected as she had never previously led an LET event but she played like an unfazed veteran in the final round, through rain, sunshine and weather delays.

After a heavy downpour in the morning, the sun shone on the Swede for the first nine holes as she posted nine steady pars.
She remained on six-under-par with a two stroke lead over Mills when play was suspended for an hour and 19 minutes due to inclement weather at 1.56pm.

After thunder, lightning and more heavy downpours, affording her a half-time lunch break, Zackrisson approached the back nine.

A bogey at the par four 13th hole was her only mistake of the day, but she compensated with a sensational birdie at the par-four 15th, where she putted from the front of the green.

After a heart-stopping moment at the 17th, when her approach shot to the green almost found the water hazard, Zackrisson signed off with a final hole birdie to take the €41,250 first prize.

“This win means everything to me,” said Zackrisson, who returned to LET Qualifying School in October after five years on Tour. “I was thinking about quitting after this year because I’ve been having a really hard time out there for the last three years. This has changed that I think!”

Zackrisson finished last year ranked 131st on the New Star Money List and after only one event played in 2008, she is now ranked second in Europe.

“I did not expect this coming in. This was so unexpected and I’m so, so happy,” she said. “I played so well and it felt so easy for me, really. Everything just worked. I’d been struggling for so long and finally it all came together. It’s unbelievable.

“I couldn’t relax until after the tee shot on 18. That’s when I finally thought maybe I could make this. You never know what is going to happen.”

Zackrisson will be back in action at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at The Carrick on Loch Lomond in a fortnight's time.