Boutier and Law take titles as Vic Open makes history again
Vic Open report: What happened at 13th Beach Golf Club?
Celine Boutier finished at 8-under for a two-shot victory over Australians Su-Hyun Oh and Sarah Kemp, as well as England’s Charlotte Thomas.
Introducing our 2019 @ISPSHanda #VicOpen champion, @celineboutier ???? #VicOpen pic.twitter.com/v1WG8FOoKb
— ISPS Handa Vic Open (@VicOpenGolf) February 10, 2019
Boutier becomes the fourth French golfer to win an LPGA Tour event, and the first since 2003, joining Catherine Lacoste, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc and Anne-Marie Palli.
Spain’s Aza Munoz was in the pack on 5-under, while another Englishwoman, Jodi Ewart-Shadoff, was a shot further back.
.@celineboutier wins the @VicOpenGolf after carding an 8-under 281 in Australia!
Full Final Leaderboard: https://t.co/zG49NllETk#NECLPGAStats @NEC pic.twitter.com/HXVR5R6ZOj
— LPGA (@LPGA) February 10, 2019
The Vic Open is, of course, a mixed event – more on that later – with the LPGA Tour event running concurrently with the European Tour.
David Law was three shots off the lead on the 16th tee, from where the Scotsman went on to finish birdie-par-eagle to draw level with long-time leader Wade Ormsby at 18-under.
Just look at this approach on 18 to set up the eagle chance:
Eagle on 18 and tied for the lead!
What a moment for Scottish rookie @DavidLawGolf. pic.twitter.com/iFBJWMyWwI
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 10, 2019
And he made absolutely no mistake:
He needed eagle and he made eagle!! ? @DavidLawGolf takes out the 2019 @ISPSHanda Vic Open after overtaking the competition with this shot… #VicOpen pic.twitter.com/NnAmYRNTGh
— ISPS Handa Vic Open (@VicOpenGolf) February 10, 2019
It meant home favourite Ormsby, who made double-bogey at 17, needed an eagle of his own on the last, but a lengthy effort missed to hand Challenge Tour graduate Law a one-shot victory in just his 18th European Tour start.
What a shame that was in the middle of the night for viewers in this part of the world because it was some finish in Geelong.
Vic Open report: The talking point
The Vic Open has long been heralded for being a mixed event. Previously a joint European Tour-Ladies European Tour venture before the LPGA swooped in – more on that here – the men’s and women’s events run concurrently with staggered tee times over 13th Beach’s Beach and Creek courses.
And this year the event made history when what they call a “quirk in the draw” saw European Tour players Dale Williamson and Gavin Moynihan tee it up with the LPGA’s Manon De Roey.
Through a quirk in the draw – and after some consultation between our Tours – we’re making history today…
Our FIRST EVER mixed group at the @ISPSHanda #VicOpen!
Go well Dale Williamson, @manonderoey & @GavinMoynihan! ?? #equality pic.twitter.com/ZZgAcBmmxK
— ISPS Handa Vic Open (@VicOpenGolf) February 8, 2019
But it wasn’t just the fact that men and women were playing together for the same prize money, it was the relaxed nature of the event that got people talking…
❌ No ropes
? Chat to the players
? Bring your dogThis is why fans love the #VicOpen pic.twitter.com/cKaZjfiw2R
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 8, 2019
Eddie Pepperell is in…
Can I come next year just as a fan? ?
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) February 8, 2019
And, as we’re in Australia, there is obviously koala bears…
Selfie time! ???@leona_maguire meeting the locals at #VicOpen ? pic.twitter.com/pSNYbESgK0
— ISPS Handa Vic Open (@VicOpenGolf) February 10, 2019
American favourite Christina Kim was in action, much to Matt Griffin’s delight…
Not the weekend I was after but so proud of what the @VicOpenGolf has become. It’s only going to get bigger too. Where else do you get to meet legends like @TheChristinaKim pic.twitter.com/4j2Eaa11Ij
— Matt Griffin (@MattGriffinGolf) February 10, 2019
Kim, meanwhile, was enjoying her weekend with the men…
Look at this obscene drive by @mullaney_jordan on the ninth hole, his last, and the twenty seventh hole I walked yesterday. He drove it PIN HIGH. Yes, it was downwind. Yes, it was firm. I don’t care. It’s a 410 METER HOLE. That’s 440 yards. To a back pin. ??? @VicOpenGolf pic.twitter.com/DzG7oLY8Xe
— Christina Kim (@TheChristinaKim) February 10, 2019
She then added:
It was actually, truly the best shot I’ve ever seen in person. In my entire life. He threaded it through a smattering of bunkers on either side of the fairway. It was perfection. To have that distance AND accuracy?! Truly absurd. I was like a child watching magic happen. SO COOL!
Long live the Vic Open.
Vic Open report: Best quotes
How do a Scotsman and a Frenchwoman differ in their approach to celebrations?
Law:
I’ll probably have 12, 15 pints tonight.
Boutier:
Plenty of champagne I guess!
How does a Scotsman celebrate?
“I’ll probably have 12, 15 pints tonight,” @DavidLawGolf ??
And how about a Frenchwoman?
“Plenty of champagne I guess!” @celineboutier ? #VicOpen
— ISPS Handa Vic Open (@VicOpenGolf) February 10, 2019
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