ELENA MOOSMANN 17-year-old Amateur Takes Title
On May 5, Swiss Amateur Elena Moosmann clinched the VP Bank Ladies Open trophy after beating England’s Hayley Davis 1-up in a terrific final round matchplay at the GC Gams-Werdenberg. Roared on by a home crowd, Elena showed the cheering onlookers she has the potential to be a force in women’s golf for years to come.
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he tournament featured a new format, called the "Mätzler-Mix", named after the event promoter, Guido Mätzler. The first two rounds were played in stroke play format and the final day featured three 9-hole matchplay matches, with the top 48 players from the 36 hole stroke play format vying for the title.
Following some fine golf in tricky conditions, home favourite Elena prevailed. Continuing from where she left off in the stroke play, the teenager was involved in a high class back and forth contest against a far more experienced opponent in England’s Hayley Davis but showed a cool head to claim her maiden LETAS title.
The final day began with the conclusion of round two, as thunderstorms had halted play late in the day on Saturday. Elena held the clubhouse lead on six-under-par with fellow amateurs Klara Wildhaber and Isabella Holpfer tied for the lead but with holes to play.
Reflecting on her first professional win, Elena clearly elated with a first LETAS victory, made all the more special being in her home country, said: “It’s special, I think tomorrow it’ll sink in. Being at home too, it was nice that some of my teammates were watching and supporting me.”
Klara struggled in the cold conditions, dropping four shots in three holes, to fall back in to fourth overall whereas fellow amateur Austrian Isabella Holpfer maintained a share of the lead with a fine birdie on the 18th to join Elena at the top.
Whilst the 17-year-old didn’t have it all her own way on the greens, her excellent play off the tee and approaches to the green saw her looking like she was very much at home in the pro ranks. When asked about her plans to celebrate, Elena showed her age: “Tonight, I have to go home and do something for school!”
Following this, the top 48 players were seeded and drawn into matchplay, with two 9-hole rounds to decide the overall winner. www.ladiesgolfmagazine.com.au
Ladies GOLF Summer/Autumn 2019/20 • ISSUE 26
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