Hannah McCook Hangs On To Win Welsh Ladies Open Stroke Play Title

Hannah McCook held on for her biggest win, taking the Welsh Ladies Open Stroke Play title by beating Curtis Cup team member Sophie Lamb in a play off at Aberdovey.

The Scottish golfer admitted the win came a week too late, following on from last week’s Curtis Cup selection, but still represented a first major title for the two-time Scottish Order of Merit winner.

McCook had a one shot lead down the 18th, but finding a hazard off the tee led to a bogey which left her tied with Lamb on -7.

Both players missed the green on the first play off hole, chipped to around three feet and McCook holed while Clitheroe’s Lamb saw her putt slip past.

“I can’t really believe that this has actually just happened. It was a good game all day, we played off each other a lot,” said McCook.

“Wining the Order of Merit has been great but I wanted an individual title. I was leading the Helen Holm after the first round but did not follow through, so being consistent to win this was crucial.

“I had three rounds under par so there was nothing crazy and I holed quite a few good putts.

“I would say this has come a week too late if I was in the picture at all for the Curtis Cup team. I knew I had been consistent but this is a step up.”

Lamb was one of four Curtis Cup team members in the field at Aberdovey on the West Wales coast. Lily May Humphries was tied third with fellow English player Thalia Kirby six shots back from the leading pair. Lisburn’s Paula Grant was tied seventh, with Aboyne’s Shannon McWilliam tied 14th.

Two Welsh players made it into the top 10, with Yelverton’s Caitlin Evans-Brand in ninth and Tenby’s Bethan Morris tied tenth.

The players were full of praise for the condition of Aberdovey as the sun shone.

“I had played Aberdovey in 2014 in the Home Internationals so I was really looking forward to coming back,” said McCook.

“It is a great course and it was the nicest three days we could have had.”

Wales Golf chairman of championships and rules, Ashton Bradbury, added, “This was a good event and the course was presented in fantastic condition this week.

“It was a really good challenge for all the players, the greens were in beautiful condition and the members acting as volunteers really helped make the event.

“We were delighted to bring top quality golf to Aberdovey.”