Mianne Bagger creates history on the LET

Denmark's Mianne Bagger made history on Wednesday when she became the first transsexual to qualify for the Ladies European Tour (LET).

The 37-year-old, who was born a male but underwent sex change surgery in 1995, carded a fourth-round 77 at Riva dei Tessali Golf Club in Taranto to join 35 other players with full exemption for next year's tour.

Bagger, who grew up in Australia, finished on four-over-par 292 -- seven strokes behind LET qualifying school winner Miriam Nagl of Germany.

"It's been a long week and tough for many reasons, but I'm naturally delighted to be able to finally fulfil my childhood ambition," three-times South Australian amateur champion Bagger told reporters.

"I sold up everything that I owned in Australia to fund this year and I have nothing but friends and family, but now I feel rich."

Bagger, who turned professional in August last year, became eligible to qualify for the LET after the tour brought its membership regulations in line with International Olympic Committee regulations on trans-gender athletes.

She becomes the first high-profile transsexual to qualify for a professional sports tour since American tennis player Renee Richards, previously Richard Raskind, competed on the WTA tour during the 1970s.

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