Euro star Pettersen the queen of Killeen
The Norwegian, ranked third in the world, left the Americans in her wake with an 18 under total on the course that will host the intercontinental clash at the end of September.
The leading American team member Stacey Lewis was back in a tie for 19th on four under, 14 shots behind Pettersen, with fellow Solheim contender Christina Kim further back on a two over par total.
Champion Pettersen was the last to arrive and the last one off this Jack Nicklaus design with a second Irish title and €60,000 in the bag after an eagle and 18 birdies in her final 70 holes as she finished six shots clear of Spain’s Azahara Munoz. The 30-year-old only arrived from Oslo on Thursday and barely raised a whimper with a one under 71 on Friday in a round that began with two consecutive bogeys. She then broke the course record with a stunning 63 on Saturday and came within a shot of equalling it as she saw off all comers on Sunday.
“It’s been a short week, a late arrival but a great result,” said Pettersen, winner of this title in 2008.
“It has also been a great week for the Europeans and we can take something out of this for the Solheim Cup.
“It will be a great match and after today we can say we are one up already.”
Galway-born, Boston-based star Alison Walshe picked up her biggest cheque in Europe in front of beaming grandmother Ronnie Munnelly from Portmarnock after a joint third finish.
“I loved every minute of it here this week and I will be back next year, the support I got out there was amazing and I had a blast,” said Walshe who earned €24,800 for her efforts.
Roles were reversed for the Maguires as Leona pipped last year’s winner Lisa to the leading amateur award, helped by an impressive hole-in-one with a six iron at the 154-yard sixth. Leona signed for a 72 for a plus one finish and a share of 33rd, one shot ahead of Lisa whose disappointing final day 79 pushed her back into 40th.
“I’ve had nine aces in practice but that’s my first one in competition,” beamed Leona.
“I played solid all week and my game is in good shape now going into the British strokeplay in a fortnight.
“Having played with Stacey Lewis and Lexi Thompson the first two days, I realise how important putting is.
“Lexi hit the ball pretty far but Stacey was the better putter and that’s what you need to be a major winner.”
Sister Lisa ran up a triple bogey seven at the 10th, a hole that has been unkind to her all week. “Tomorrow is another day,” smiled Lisa on a day that saw the Maguires confirm their place in the European team for the Junior Solheim Cup at Knightsbrook next month.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
