BRITISH TITLE FOR CORNWALL'S SARAH-JANE
Cornwall’s Sarah-Jane Boyd swept to the forefront of
women’s amateur golf with a two stroke win in the British ladies’ stroke play
championship at Shandon Park, Ireland. It’s the biggest win so far for the 20-year-old from Truro who has previously captured four Cornwall titles and this year’s England Golf South West women’s championship.
"I always knew I had the potential to win a big one, so I have proved myself right," said Sarah-Jane.
She was six over par for the tournament, two ahead of Amy Boulden of Wales. English champion and Curtis Cup player Kelly Tidy was third after playing the final 36 holes in two-under par, despite heavy rain in the third round which forced a suspension of play.
Sarah-Jane’s victory gains her a place in the starting field for next year's Ricoh Women's British Open over the Old Course, St Andrews – provided she remains an amateur.
"That's made up my mind. I think I’ll stay another two years as an amateur," said Sarah-Jane, who also won the Angela Uzielli Trophy for the best U23 performance and the trophy for the best single round of the championship - her first-round three under par 69
That score put her in the lead for the championship and she lost top-spot only once during the 72-hole event. She was overtaken at the end of the third round by Welsh champion and Curtis Cup player Amy Boulden, who had a one-stroke lead with 18 holes to play.
Amy increased the lead during the final round and was two in front with nine to play after she reached the turn in level par. But the Welsh player came home in six-over 41 with a triple bogey seven on the 14th, a double bogey six on the 17th and a bogey five on the 18th.
Sarah-Jane, meanwhile was one over on the way out, but worked her way back into the lead by playing the final nine holes in just two two-over par.
England, represented by Emily Taylor (Hillside) and Bronte Law (Bramhall) won the international team event for the Taunton Trophy.
Leading final scores
Par 288 (4x72)
294 Sarah-Jane Boyd (Truro) 69 73 77 75
296 Amy Boulden (Conwy) 70 74 74 78
297 Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 77 78 71 71
298 Emily Taylor (Hillside) 76 74 76 72, 298 Alex Peters (Notts Ladies') 74 74 78 72, Bronte Law (Bramhall) 71 76 77 74
299 Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer) 74 70 81 74
301 Jane Turner (Craigielaw) 76 75 77 73, Jing Yan (China) 76 76 75 74, Paula Grant (Lisburn) 76 73 75 77
