The week in ladies golf: Van Dam dominant at Mediterranean Open
Anne Van Dam put in a stunning performance to runaway with the Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open and claim her second Ladies European Tour title.
The 22-year-old Dutch player has always been viewed to have incredible potential, not least because of her unrivalled driving distance, and she finally gave a glimpse into what she’s capable of on a world stage in this rout at Club de Golf Terramar.
Rounds of 64, 64, 65 and 65 got the job done as she eased to victory in what was a very strong LET field.
Indeed, regular LPGA players Caroline Masson, Caroline Hedwall, Aditi Ashok, Carlota Ciganda and Anna Nordqvist all finished inside of the top-10, but no one could get within eight shots of Van Dam.
WINNING. IN. STYLE!@Annevandam is the 2018 @EstrellaDammEs @MeditLadiesOpen champion on -2⃣6⃣ & by 8⃣ shots. A simply incredible performance ? #MediterraneanLadiesOpen pic.twitter.com/W8BtEU0jXl
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 23, 2018
This is why I work so hard every single day!! This feeling!! Thanks to my amazing team and sponsors, couldn’t have done it without you! #NR2BABY pic.twitter.com/n2xbOy38hD
— Anne van Dam (@Annevandam) September 23, 2018
Solheim Cup on the agenda?
For Van Dam, this could be the opening of the floodgates and, as a result, next year’s Solheim Cup comes into focus.
The young Dutchwoman regularly ranks as one of the longest players on tour, yet this performance in Spain evidenced that there’s a lot more about her than just big-hitting.
She showed superb distance control on approaches, her putting touch was excellent and, on the rare occasion when she did miss a green, her scrambling was exceptional from either bunker or rough.
“I kept on working really hard and I think I proved this week that I’m not only a long driver of the ball, but my iron game is good, my wedge game is good, my short game is really good and my putting under pressure is the best it’s ever been,” Van Dam said.
It’s very difficult to argue with that, and with the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, Scotland just twelve months away, a spot in Catriona Matthew’s side and a debut appearance is very much a possibility.
A new Korean star?
South Korea are dominant in women’s golf, and heads will no doubt turn to their latest rising star, Selin Hyun.
The 17-year-old amateur finished runner-up on her second LET start at the European Thailand Championship in June, and she then went on to share medalist honours with Lucy Li at the US Amateur Championship last month.
And now, in her latest start on the LET, she fired rounds of 67, 69, 64 and 66 to share a tie for second among classy LPGA competitors at Terramar.
Keep a close eye on her progress – she looks to be a star in the making.
Upcoming
There is no event on either the LET or LPGA this week, but the much-anticipated UL International Crown gets underway next week in Korea.
It’s set to be a fascinating spectacle – keep an eye on Lady Golfer for our upcoming preview of the biennial team event.
If you’re not sure what the UL International Crown is – here’s a handy guide to get you started.
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