Date: May 15, 2007
Author:

Garrett makes it two

Nikki Garrett has claimed her second Ladies European Tour title in as many weeks with a win at the Spanish Open in Castellon. The 23-year old shot a final round 70 to finish one stroke in front of England&aposs Rebecca Hudson and two ahead of France&aposs Gwladys Nocera. Garrett opened solidly with a 68 and backed up with a course record equalling 65. A third round 72 dropped her behind Hudson by two strokes but the Australian produced a bogey-free final round while her opponent buckled under pressure. Hudson led by a stroke with three holes to play but found the water with her six-iron from the 16th tee and was forced to take a drop. The Englishwoman chipped on and two-putted for a double bogey five, while Garrett made a regulation par to claim the lead. The Australian had watched Nocera play the same hole and find the water, much the same as Hudson would do. “I felt bad for Rebecca on 16,” Garrett said. “I was in between clubs and I saw Gwladys hit her ball into the water first. I saw Gwladys hit a seven iron and I was thinking about whether to take a seven or an eight iron so I took a seven-iron,” Garrett said. “Mine went a bit left but I was stoked it hit the green.” Garrett played like a champion but later admitted she was more nervous than she was the previous week when she won the title in Tenerife. She also said that claiming the championship never really crossed her mind. “I wasn&apost even thinking about winning,” she said. “I watched Rebecca play yesterday and I thought there is no way she is not going to shoot under par today – I never thought I&aposd win one tournament let alone two in a row. I&aposm absolutely delighted.” Garrett&aposs win means Australia continues its dominance of the 2007 LET after Karrie Webb went back-to-back with the MFS Women&aposs Australian Open and the ANZ Ladies Masters in February. Final results from the Ladies Spanish Open at Castellon: 275: Nikki Garrett (Australia) 68 65 72 70 276: Rebecca Hudson (England) 65 69 69 73 277: Gwladys Nocera (France) 66 68 71 72 278: Louise Friberg (Sweden) 68 71 73 66 279: Laurette Maritz (South Africa) 72 70 66 71 280: Kirsty Taylor (England) 66 70 70 74 281: Cherie Byrnes (Australia) 72 70 70 69 280: Iben Tinning (Denmark) 70 71 75 67, Sarah Kemp (Australia) 70 71 73 69