The Scottish golfer came back fighting after having cervical cancer surgery 14 months ago.
Scotland’s Heather MacRae has won the WPGA Championship for the second year in a row.
The 2019 hosting of the championship also took part at Kedleston Park, however, last year was a much more turbulent and emotional time for the 36-year-old.
Having just been diagnosed with cervical cancer, she went into surgery just days after lifting the WPGA trophy.
But now totally free of the disease after successful treatment and clearly back on top form, she has made a remarkable recovery.
It certainly didn't stop her from defending her title at the Derbyshire venue.
Had she not lost to Keely Chiericato of Manton Golf Centre in 2018 at Trentham it would have been a hat-trick of victories, but understandably the Ladies European Player hasn’t been dwelling on that.
As in 2018, this year also ended with a play off between Heather and Keely but the Scot didn’t realise this until she was on the 17th hole.
She said:
“I’d made a mess of 15 and 16 and thought I’d better have a look to see what I should do over the last couple of holes. When I found out the scores, I thought ‘here we go again’.”
Her win comes with a £1,0000 prize and having now won the competition a total of three times she is only one victory behind Tracey Loveys’ record tally of four wins.
Speaking about going into surgery after her last win, Heather said:
“This wasn’t as emotional as last year.
“I’ve won quite a few trophies but I’ve never managed to defend one before. So I’m absolutely delighted to win it.
“It’s definitely one of the tournaments I look forward to playing each year and I always try to bring my ‘A’ game with me.”
She posted a lovely messaged on Twitter too saying:
“Hezzys home! 5am alarm, 36 holes, 5 1/2 hour drive home but so very very worth it. Thank you all for the love and messages #sleepytime #wpgachampion.”
Well done Heather! So well deserved.
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