Sixteen-year-old German-based Fiona Liddell is the new Scottish Girls’ Champion after an impressive 2&1 win over Heather Munro (Monifieth) in the final at Dumfries and County Golf Club.
German-based Fiona Liddell (pictured with her father Stephen) is the new Scottish Girls’ Champion after an impressive 2&1 win over Heather Munro (Monifieth) in the final at Dumfries and County.
Liddell, coached by her Dad, Stephen, who is a professional in Germany, the 16-year-old showed some real short game wizardry to overcome a dogged opponent.
“This is the best win of my career,” said the delighted new champion. “And I’ll still be young enough to defend the title next year.”
Liddell made a great start. She holed from a putt from off the green at the first to win the hole and was two up after a solid par at the second.
But Munro hit back with wins at the fourth and another with a birdie at the fifth and they reached the turn all square.
But Liddell had a great start to the second half. She drove into a greenside bunker at the par 4 tenth and holed from the sand for a spectacular eagle two. By that stage, Dad could hardly watch.
Following a string of halves – the long 15th in birdie fours - Liddell again showed some magic from off the green, holing a chip shot from behind the 15th to go two up. The next two holes were halved in par and the match was over.
“I was especially pleased to make the shot from the bunker,” said Liddell, who played for Great Britain and Ireland in last year’s Junior Vagliano Trophy. “I was having some trouble with my bunker shots earlier in the week and Dad and I worked really hard to sort it out.
“I was sorry to miss the Scottish Ladies’ Championship this year because I was sitting my A levels. But I’ll be finished school next year and then I want to go to
America on a golf scholarship.”
It really was class final that was played mostly in sunshine but also included a heavy mid-round shower. Liddell was three under par for the 17 holes and Munro was one under - it was the two chip-ins that made the difference.
In the Ansley Reid Salver it was also a good day for professionals’ daughters. Jillian Farrell, whose Dad is the pro at Cardross, won the title with a one hole win over Jennifer Saxton (Kinross).
