Dutch player Christel Boeljon has extra baggage for her trip to Melbourne – the trophy from her one stroke victory at the Gold Coast RACV Australian Ladies Masters. Boeljon sunk a final hole birdie from around five feet to secured her second Ladies European Tour and first ALPG Tour title. The European Solheim Cup team member heads to Melbourne on the back of an impressive run of form in recent years on the sandbelt courses. Boeljon first played the Women&aposs Australian Open in 2009 at Metropolitan Golf Club where she finished at even par in hot conditions in a share of 15th. In 2010 at Commonwealth Golf Club it was a tie for 12th at 2-over par while in 2011 it was a tie for 15th at 2-under. The Composite course will be another test entirely. Two days ago the talk at Royal Pines was who was going to catch US Women&aposs Open champion So Yeon Ryu, after the reigning US Open champion fired off an eleven under 61 giving her a commanding four shot lead heading into the weekend. But the 21-year-old, who admitted to being tired after her 61, struggled over the final 36-hole stretch posting just seven birdies and four bogeys in the last two days. Boeljon, 24, remained composed throughout. Playing with new clubs, Boeljon shot four under on both Saturday and Sunday, not once appearing intimidated by Ryu s credentials or the situation. Sharing the lead with Ryu down the final stretch, the Dutchwoman was able to make two brilliant up and downs on holes 15 and 16 to stay in the lead with the South Korean. Again as she headed up 18 there were four players all on 20 under, and Boeljon knew a birdie on the par-five final hole would do it. After reaching the green in two and with Ryu in the greenside trap, Boeljon left her eagle putt 1.5 metres short. My first putt, I was not really happy: it was a bit far away for my liking, she told ABC TV. Ryu flew her bunker shot way over the pin leaving her a very long birdie putt. I was better make a two putt and birdie and then it might be mine, Boeljon said. It’s not over till it s over. I am really happy I finished with a birdie and it s unbelievable. New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko, 14, who stated all week her aim was just to make the cut, tied for 32nd and took out leading amateur honours with a four round total of six under.
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