England Girls squad member Nellie Ong managed to walk into the winners circle at the Welsh Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship, after two weeks of knocking on the door.
The Suffolk player turned two second places in the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open and Scottish Girls Open into a victory at Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club, with a stunning final round of seven under par sealing the deal.
It earned the biggest win of her career, overtaking Ireland’s Jessica Ross in second place and Vagliano Trophy player Lorna McClymont of Scotland in third.
There were strong performances for Welsh pair Annabel Collis of Mold and Bethan Morris of Celtic Manor who finished tied sixth.
There was also an exceptional Welsh performance at The Lytham Trophy with three Wales players in the top four at the Open Championship venue.
Euro Nations Cup champion James Ashfield was left to rue a final hole bogey that put him into a play-off with Welshpool’s Tomi Bowen and eventual winner Will Hopkins of England. Royal Porthcawl’s Matt Roberts was one shot back in fourth.
Ong was delighted with her win in Wales. “It feels pretty amazing, it is my biggest win so far, my first national title,” said the 17-year-old, who is heading to Ohio State University in the US later in the year.
“I have come close to winning the last three weeks so I cannot believe I have taken that step. I felt I just had to keep pushing so I just stuck to my game plan, I liked the course, and I gave myself a lot of opportunities on the back nine.
“I had to stay patient with my putting after I hit it close on a few of the first few holes but did not hole the putts, but then towards the end I started holing them.
“It is a really nice golf course, and it was in really good condition. The rain kept coming down in the last nine holes, but I concentrated on each shot and this is a big confidence boost ahead of the British Amateur at Portmarnock.”
Wales Golf Championships Manager Dan Fullager added, “It was an outstanding final round by Nellie to take the title, in a strong field from all round the UK and Ireland.
“Thanks also to the staff and volunteers at Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club, the course was in excellent condition and they helped the event run smoothly.
“Congratulations from Wales Golf to James, Tomi and Matt for an outstanding performance at the Lytham Trophy.
“That is two second places for Tomi after he was runner-up to fellow Welshman Harry Watkins at the Welsh Men’s Open Stroke Play Championship.
“Hopefully he can take a leaf out of Nellie’s book and win next time out after two second place finishes.”