Booth bags maiden professional title

Scottish teenager secures first victory in LET Access Series tournament

Scotland’s Carly Booth bagged her maiden professional title after she saw off Marion Ricordeau in a play-off for the Dinard Ladies Open in France, a Ladies European Tour Access Series tournament.

Booth, pictured, looked to have blown her chances of winning after three-putting the 18th at Dinard Golf Club in Brittany to drop back into a tie with Ricordeau on one-under-par in the second Access Series event of the 2012 season. However, the Comrie teenager dealt quickly with that disappointment, birdieing the same hole in the play-off after hitting a punch 8-iron to six feet.

“If I’d had a par on the last in regulation play I would have won it but I still did it,” said the 19-year-old from Perthshire. “Of course, I was delighted but I think it took a moment to sink in. I’ve been hitting it well the last few months so it’s nice to see it pay off.”

Starting the third and final round seven places adrift of leader Ricordeau, Booth piece together an impressive two-under-par round of 67 in cold and windy conditions.

A birdie at the par-4 third got her off to the best of starts before a bogey at the ninth saw her make the turn in level-par. However, two more birdies on the 14th and 15th – including a raking putt from 40 feet put at the former – put Booth right back in contention, with another birdie at 17 putting her bang in contention to win in regulation, before the drama on the 18th unfolded.

It was third time lucky for Booth in play-offs, as she missed out at Ricoh Women’s British Open qualifying at Panmuir last year and also at LET Final Qualifying School for the 2012 season at La Manga Club earlier this year.

“I am so happy and a little surprised as I struggled with my putting all week,” she said. “To be honest I’ve been playing really well but I was still not expecting to win. My main focus has been to enjoy it.”

The tee-totaller added: “I’ll celebrate with a nice steak and a cup of coffee. It’s been a great week and a really good confidence boost.”

Booth, who is taught by Sandy Smith at Ladybank near Gleneagles, spent a month practicing in Dubai after Q School and said: “I have been hitting it well and have not been working on anything in particular but worked hard on my chipping and putting.”

It was also a successful week for another Scot, Katy McNicoll, who shared third place with Frenchwoman Elena Giraud on one-over-par.

The LET Access Series is the official feeder tour to the Ladies European Tour. The top three players on the 2012 LETAS ranking will earn membership of the Ladies European Tour for the 2013 season, while the next 12 players will have the opportunity to progress to the final stage of LET Qualifying School, thereby skipping the first qualifying event.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered