Irish Golf Desk

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Ross tenth as teenager Babnik wins Helen Holm by seven shots

Slovenia's Pia Babnik. Picture: Scottish Golf

Clandeboye's Jessica Ross tied for tenth behind Slovenia's Pia Babnik in the Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Ross followed rounds of 72 and 71 on the Portland Course with a level par 72 on the Old Course to finish on one-under par.

Hermitage's Ciara Casey and Grange's Elisa Corcoran closed with 74's to share 30th place on seven-over with Portarlington's Meadhbh Doyle tied 49th on 11-over after a 78.

Scores

After opening with rounds of 66 and 69 to take a three-stroke lead into the final round, teenager Babnik (15) completed a wire to wire win when she signed off with a six-under 66 to win by seven strokes on 15-under-par from France's Charlotte Bunel, who shot 69 yesterday.

“This is the biggest win of my career,” Babnik told The Scotsman. “The Junior Solheim Cup is my big aim this year and this is a big help towards that.

“I knew I was well ahead of the rest and just tried to keep calm and play my own game. I’m very happy. I enjoyed it so much. It was sunny and warm and no wind. It was great. This was my first time here. I handled it well. It was a course that suited me.

“I was four when I started golf. There are not many players in Slovenia, but we have enough courses. There’s a chance to train and practise properly.”

Scotland’s Shannon McWilliam and Chloe Goadby won the team event by 15 strokes from England’s Georgina Blackman and Emily Toy.