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(7 October, 2012 – Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Aquitaine, France)
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Stacey Keating claimed her second straight win on the Ladies European Tour after firing a final round six under par 64, to win the Lacoste Ladies Open de France, Sunday. At her last start two weeks ago Keating claimed her maiden LET victory at the Tenerife Ladies Open de Espana.
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The 26 year old from Cressy, Victoria, entered the final round at the Chantaco Golf Club three shots behind Italian Diana Luna in a tie for second place with French favourite Anne-Lise Caudal, and Money List leader, Spain&aposs Carlotta Ciganda. The day would develop into a tussle between Luna and Keating as the birdies flowed early in the round. Keating, playing in the penultimate group, got off to a flying start with birdies at the opening three holes. Further birdies followed at the 5th, 6th and 9th holes to put her at 13 under par heading into the back nine. Luna posted four pars on the outward holes before responding to Keating&aposs charge with four consecutive birdies from the 5th. A par at the 9th put Luna two ahead of the Australian as the large crowd followed players to the 10th tee.
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The back nine would prove uneventful in comparison to the opening nine. The birdies dried up for both players as the tension made for a gripping finish. Keating played holes 10-14 in one over par and Luna played them in 2 over. Keating then rattled off birdies at 14,16 & 17 to pull one ahead as she approached the final hole. Luna had birdied the 15th to tie, and after pars at 16 & 17, the result would be determined on the 18th.
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Keating missed the green at the par 4 18th hole and pitched to three feet.. She would miss the putt as a loud fire engine siren roared during her stroke. This left Luna with the opportunity to win outright with a birdie, or to force a playoff if she was to make par. Luna too would miss the eighteenth green after driving into a fairway bunker. Her 3rd shot finished 5 feet from the hole from where she failed to make the putt, handing the title to the very excited Keating. She was handed the trophy by Sophie Lacoste, President of Lacoste SA, in the presence of the recent victorious European Ryder Cup Captain, Jose Maria Olazabal, and former world number one Lorena Ochoa.
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"Ten years ago my dream was to meet Lorena Ochoa so standing here is unbelievable so thank you Lorena for playing in this event," said Keating.
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"After the disappointment of the British (where she was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard) I was really low in confidence, but obviously not now, so I&aposm very happy. I&aposve been playing well leading up to the British as well so it was just how I was going to handle it mentally as well I guess. I had no expectations because I was so disappointed and that hurt me a lot. Nothing on the golf course can hurt me like that now."
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For Luna, it was heartbreak as it was the third consecutive year she had finished runner-up in the same event. Two strokes back in a tie for 3rd place were Hannah Jun of the USA and Spain&aposs Azahara Munoz. Tied for 5th were Caudal, England&aposs Trish Johnson and Ciganda who moved into first place on the LET&aposs Order of Merit.
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The win jumps Keating to 6th place on the Order of Merit with 147,045 Euros.
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Of the other Australians in the field, best placed were Sarah Kemp (T17); Bree Arthur (T22); Nikki Garrett (T35) and Rebecca Artis (T43).
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Click here for Final Results
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