Date: September 09, 2013
Author: Omnisport

Aussie Artis wins maiden tour title

Australia&aposs Rebecca Artis has bridged a five-shot gap to overhaul local favourite Caroline Hedwall and win the Helsingborg Open. Artis claimed her maiden victory on the Ladies European Tour (LET) with a three-under 69 in Sunday&aposs final round, which reeled in Sweden&aposs Hedwall, Valentine Derrey of France and South Africa&aposs Lee-Anne Pace at Vasatorp Golf Club in Skane. Having finished tied for ninth at the Ladies European Masters and in a share of sixth at the Ladies Scottish Open, Artis&apos form was leading towards a victory but the 24-year-old Australian was still shocked to have notched her breakthrough LET win. “Unbelievable, speechless really, what can I say it was a great day out there, played golf, solid golf all day, and to walk away the winner is unbelievable,” Artis said. Hedwall started the final day four shots clear of Derrey and Pace, while Artis was a further stroke back. But as Hedwall, Derrey and Pace all struggled with the windy conditions on the south coast of Sweden, Artis took her opportunities and minimised her mistakes for an impressive victory. Artis notched five birdies and two bogeys in her 69, while Hedwall and Pace both carded three-over 75s and Derrey produced a one-over 73. “(We played in) tough conditions so I just had to stay patient out there, (hit the) fairways, greens, and see what happened and I did that,” Artis said. “I made some good birdies out there, kept myself in it and tried not to look at too many leader boards but it&aposs hard. “But it&aposs a great day; I played great golf all day.”