Francesca Fiorellini made sure that the English U14 Girls’ Open Championship stayed in Italian hands when she won the trophy by five shots at Lyme Regis Golf Club.
Francesca Fiorellini made sure that the English U14 Girls’ Open Championship stayed in Italian hands when she won the trophy by five shots at Lyme Regis Golf Club.
13-year-old Francesca Fiorellini was 1-over par for 54 holes and commented,
“I was very excited at the beginning of the day and on the last hole when I was sure I could win, I was very, very excited.”
Fiorellini follows previous Italian winner Charlotte Cattaneo as champion, adding her name to a trophy which has been won by Georgia Hall, now the Ricoh Women’s British Open winner.
Fiorellini started the day one shot off the lead, held by Harriet Lockley of Wales, playing her final round in 2-under par, 72, to shoot away from the field.
The English challenge was led by Patience Rhodes of Burnham and Berrow in Somerset, who finished as joint runner-up and recreated a piece of history.
Back in 2014 Rhodes’ sister Mimi – now an England girl international – was runner-up in this event, also to an Italian, Emilie Paltrinieri.
Rhodes, 14, intends to keep following in her sister’s footsteps – and overtake her if possible! “I’m hoping to be better than her, I always beat her at chipping,” she laughed.
She finished this championship on 6-over par, tied with Anna Neumayer of Austria, and commented,
“I’m very pleased because I did the best I could have done.”
Rhodes also won the handicap competition on net 6-under par.
Three other English girls also finished in the top ten; Rachel Gourley from Arcot Hall tied fourth, whilst Scarlett Williams from Parkstone and Lottie Woad from Farnham tied sixth.
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Image credit: Leaderboard Photography
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