Australia’s Kelsey Bennett secured a first Ladies European Tour (LET) title on home soil thanks to a four-shot victory at the Australian Women’s Classic.
The 26-year-old held the overnight lead heading into Sunday’s final round at Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club. Strong winds and rain caused issues, with Bennett finishing as one of only three players to go under-par in the final round. England’s Caley McGinty, who played in the same group as Bennett alongside fellow Englishwoman Meghan MacLaren, made an early advance with birdies at the 1st and 3rd. But Bennett matched her with a pair of her own at the 3rd and 5th. However, her momentum fell through with three consecutive bogeys from holes 6 to 8. McGinty also stumbled with bogeys at the 6th and 8th. Another bogey at the 11th after the turn handed Bennett the lead once more. The Australian capitalized and extended her lead to three with birdies at holes 13, 14, and 17. McGinty made birdie at the 15th, but closed with back-to-back bogeys and despite a dropped shot at the 18th, Bennett came out on top with a 1-under 71, four shots clear on 13 under.
“I’m just stoked to have managed to get it across the line today,” Bennett said, following her hard-fought victory. “My biggest and best win so far. I couldn’t be happier, to be honest.”
“Caley didn’t let up. I knew I had to keep pushing and to make those two birdies back-to-back, that really helped coming in as well.
“I was a lot more nervous the whole round last week than I was today. I was actually really stoked when I woke up and the conditions were really tough because I knew it was going to be anyone’s. I knew if I hung in there well, it was mine for the taking, so that was good. But yeah, I was a little shaky over that last putt, not going to lie!”
The win was made all the more special, not only as her first on home soil and her first on the circuit, but also to have her whole family watching and cheering her on from the crowd. It also means Bennett has secured herself a spot at the AIG Women’s Open in July.
McGinty and MacLaren settled for a share of second on 9 under, whilst Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab secured fourth on 7 under. Just a shot adrift, India’s Diksha Dagar rounded off the top 5 at 6 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the Ladies European Tour schedule is the Women’s Australian Open taking place between 12th-15th March at Kooyonga Golf Club in Australia.