Parker squeezes past stellar field in Spain to boost Solheim hopes

LET: Mediterranean Ladies Open – Florentyna Parker

England’s Parker went head-to-head with a host of Solheim Cup stars and came out on top in Spain for her third win on Tour. It took the 27-year-old four extra holes to beat Anna Nordqvist of Sweden after Carlota Ciganda left the play-off at the first time of asking after failing to match a pair of birdies.

At the second and third time of asking Parker and Nordqvist both recorded pars before the World No 114 got the better of the No 10 after hitting a short iron to three feet.

Parker closed with a faultless, 66 which included an eagle at the 9th, the same score as Nordqvist and Ciganda while the other home hope Aza Munoz was one back on 14 under. Mel Reid led overnight but eventually finished in a tie for fifth with Scotland’s Pamela Pretswell.

With her win, Parker moved up to second on the LET Solheim Cup points list behind Georgia Hall and ahead of Reid and Nordqvist. The team will be named after the Women’s British Open on August 6.

What Parker said: “I knew I had to win. I know I’m not going to get picked for the Solheim Cup so I know I have to qualify automatically. I think today I’ve proved that I can play against the best and best them, so I’m really happy.

“I can’t remember how many times I played the 18th hole, but I think I had a few birdies today, so it was fantastic and I still can’t believe it. You’re up against the best players in the world, they come over from the LPGA and it’s so good to beat them! I was putting quite well towards the end and I knew that green off by heart, so I knew it was going to go in. Luckily, she missed!”