WA’s Kirsten Rudgeley just missed out on a first title on the Ladies European Tour after a playoff loss to Swiss star Chiara Tamburlini at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
After several near misses, this is the closest Rudgeley has come to victory since joining the LET in 2023 and she will take heart from a fabulous final day’s play that saw her take the challenge to overnight leader Tamburlini over the back nine.
Rudgeley had led the championship after day one, only to fall four shots adrift of Tamburlini’s 36-hole lead after a second-round 73. However, with Tamburlini dropping three shots in the first seven holes of the final round, the Aussie rising star was soon breathing down her neck.
Three consecutive birdies from the 8th moved Tamburlini two clear again but Rudgeley hit back with birdies on the 11th, 12th, 15th and 16th to move into the lead at -7 for the championship.
A gutsy birdie on the par-three 17th drew Tamburlini back level and pars at the last sent the pair into a sudden-death playoff at Golf Barriere’s dramatic closing hole.
After splitting the fairway, Tamburlini almost holed her approach as it spun back to seven feet. Rudgeley did well to hit the green after pulling her drive left but her birdie effort came up short, allowing Tamburlini to hole her putt for victory.
It was Tamburlini’s second win of her rookie season, which moved her to the top of the Order of Merit, with the 24-year-old quick to praise her Australian rival.
“Kirsten played so well today, especially on the back nine, she really lit it up and it was tough for me to keep up,” she said. “The birdie on 17 in regular play was huge to keep up with her. And then the birdie on the playoff hole was incredible. I can’t really believe it right now.”
Rudgeley’s consolation was her best finish on tour to date, the result moving her into the top 10 of the Order of Merit. Her consistent form has also seen her make 30 consecutive cuts on the LET.
Photo: Ladies European Tour
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