(30 January 2011 – Canberra, ACT)
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Queensland amateur Ashley Ona held her nerve on the last hole and produced a great up and down from the back of the 18th green to secure the 2011 ActewAGL Royal Canberra Ladies Classic over a star studded field.
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Ona, who was equal leader heading into the final round with Sydney’s Frances Bondad, got off to a flying start with birdies on the first two holes. She built up a three shot lead with four holes remaining, however American Alison Walshe, who was playing in the group in front of her, flew home with birdies on the final three holes and just missed an eagle putt on the 18th to finish at 11-under par.
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Ona had to par the last to secure victory and after spraying her second shot in the trees on the right, her punched third shot into the green flew over the back. She had a tricky up and down, but thankfully for her she loves her pitching wedge and played a fantastic pitch under enormous pressure to one foot and calmly tapped it in for the win.
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After her final round of 3-under par 70, the 2009 Australian Girls Amateur Champion’s emotions were out there for the large gallery to witness. Tears were flowing and she was swamped by two of her aunties that had followed her for the entire 54 holes.
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The 19-year old said after winning that she was “very, very excited and very, very happy. It was definitely my biggest win and I think it is a great stepping stone. I now have the confidence to match it with these girls.”
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“I’d probably be lying if I said no but I just wanted to win it, to have that title and trophy is enough,” Ona replied when asked would she had liked the money
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Runner-up Walshe was very philosophical with her efforts, saying, ”She played great, I played well and kept it strong but she just played better. I am totally happy with the way I played today.”
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Outright third was second round co-leader Bondad (70) who finished two shots back at 10-under par, while Bing Lee/Samsung Women’s NSW Open winner Caroline Hedwall (72), Canadian Jessica Shepley (72) and defending champion Kristie Smith (67) all shared fourth position. Queensland’s Katherine Hull (70) and American Beth Allen (67) finished tied for seventh position.
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Local star Nikki Campbell had her best round of the week, a 4-under par 69 to finish tied tenth at 5-under par while crowd favourite Laura Davies couldn’t get anything going and finished tied 16th after 76 in the final round.
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The ALPG Tour continues this week with the staging of the ISPS Handa Women&aposs Australian Open at Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne starting on Thursday.
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