Vedel claims first title despite poor start

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR: Denmark’s Line Vedel secured her maiden victory in the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open, firing a final round 69 on a weather-interrupted last day at Gray Bear Golf Course at Golf Resort Tale.

Vedel finished two strokes clear of Germany’s Caroline Masson with a winning total of seven under par. Italian Veronica Zorzi and Thailand’s Nontaya Srisawang shared third place on three under, with Scotland’s Carly Booth having to settle for a share of seventh on 215 after a closing 73.

Beginning the day tied for the lead with Finland’s Jenni Kuosa, Vedel made a shaky start with bogeys on the first and third holes.

Her tumble was halted, however, when play was suspended for an hour and 20 minutes at 9.55am due to thunderstorms and she had time to gather her thoughts on the clubhouse terrace.

She then staged a stunning comeback with five birdies, starting at the sixth, where she holed an extremely long and sliding downhill putt from around 60 feet.

A further birdie followed at the eighth, giving her a level par front nine, while birdies at the tenth, 11th and 14th allowed her to complete the win and earn the €33,750 first prize.