SINI Golfer Danielle McVeigh has won the Lancome Irish Women’s Close Championship following a thrilling comeback from behind.
Danielle was four down after seven holes, but a birdie on the eighth marked the start of a fightback from the Curtis Cup star, and was followed up with wins on the ninth, 12th and 13th which brought her level with former Close Champion Claire Delaney.
Delaney, however, managed to recapture her lead with a win on the 14th, and by the 16th Danielle was two down with two to play and in real danger of missing out. Once again, though, McVeigh’s steady resolve held and she proceeded to win the 17th with a par. A birdie on the 18th with a super pressure putt forced the competition into extra holes.
At the first play-off hole Danielle hit a monster drive (“one of her best”), and followed that up with a nine-iron to 40 feet, with a two-putt birdie seeing her through to victory.
Commenting on her win, Danielle said:
'I haven't played in the Close for five years and I knew this was likely to be my last chance to win it.
'I have been playing well for a couple of months but this week has been the first time that I managed to start hitting it well and putting well.
'I did feel a bit of pressure at start. I knew I was expected to have a good Championship but I only wrapped up my exams on Friday, so I didn't really come into the event with great expectations.
'It's a title that means a lot to me and ranks up there with my British and Scottish Strokeplay wins. I really had to play some good golf to win and I think overall I played some of the best golf that I have ever played.'
Next on the horizon for McVeigh is the British Match Play Championship at Royal Portrush which gets underway on 7 June followed by the Irish Women's Strokeplay event.
