French woman Stephanie Arricau snared her second win in the space of three weeks today at the Estoril Ladies Open of Portugal after a magnificent final round of seven-under-par 65 at Quinta Da Marinha Oitavos Golfe.
Arricau, who also won twice in the space of three weeks in 2004, when she claimed the French and Spanish Open titles, won the KLM Ladies Open in the Netherlands three weeks ago.
Her fourth career victory today confirmed her status as one of Europe 's finest female professionals. She won by five shots on nine-under-par over her compatriot Gwladys Nocera, the current European number one.
It was the fourth French win of the Ladies European Tour's 2006 season and the second French double victory after Nocera won the recent Swiss and Italian Opens.
Arricau carded rounds of 71, 71 and a 65 for her victory, which included “the best nine holes of golf of her life” on the back nine.
She played the front nine in level par 36 after two bogeys on holes two and three and two birdies at holes five and seven.
But at the par-four-tenth, she holed a monster downhill birdie putt from the fringe at the back of the green which marked the turning point.
“From the tenth on I felt like I could feel the putts – it was incredible,” said the French woman from Pau . “The putt definitely gave me a lot of confidence.”
Arricau played the back nine in seven-under-par 29 after five birdies and an eagle. She holed long birdie putts at the 10 th, 11 th and 13 th holes and stuck an iron to two feet at the par-three 15 th .
At the par-five 16 th , she was on in two and safely two putted for birdie. She then scored an easy eagle at the par-five 17 th after she put her second shot to eight feet.
“I felt sick at the beginning of the day. Perhaps that helped me to stay cool,” said the 33-year-old, who earned a first prize of €45,000. “I usually have quite a lot of energy and that can allow me to get tense, which isn't always the best thing.
“After I holed the putt on ten I saw Ludivine (Kreutz) on the course and she gestured that she was going to slit my throat, so that was quite funny. You know I had a tough year in the States so I'm very happy to come back like this.”
After a phenomenal year in Europe in 2004, when she finished third on the Money List; Arricau endured a miserable year playing on the US LPGA Tour in 2005. She played in 17 events in America but made only six cuts and it was an experience she says she will not be repeating any time soon.
“I like to have a good time with my friends and I'm 33 years old – I want to have fun with my golf. If I can play in the majors then I will but for me it was a nightmare – seriously. I was always alone. I didn't like the lifestyle.
“If I had been to school in the States then maybe I would have enjoyed it more but I prefer the life here in Europe . The sea view, the perfect hotel, the lovely food; in the States it's all about the golf.
“I think my goal for next year could be making it into The 2007 European Solheim Cup Team because I earned a lot of points in 2004 but then I went to America and you get double the points in Solheim Cup years.”
Should she qualify, it would be the first time that Arricau will have played in the biennial, transatlantic event.
Former Solheim Cup player Nocera, who made her debut in the competition in 2005, had another superb round of 70 today but had to settle for second place after she finished on four-under-par. It was her sixth consecutive top five finish of the season.
Australian rookie Sarah Kemp made a strong charge in the race for the LET's rookie of the Year title. She finished in outright third on three-under-par after a final round of 72. England 's Rebecca Hudson was fourth on two-under after a final round of 69 and Becky Brewerton, who was tied for the lead with Kemp after the second round, had a 74 to finish in fifth place on one-under-par. Sweden 's Helena Alterby finished in sixth position on level par after a 74.
207 Stephanie Arricau (Fra) 71 71 65
212 Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 69 73 70
213 Sarah Kemp (Aus) 69 72 72
214 Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 74 71 69
215 Becky Brewerton (Wal) 72 69 74
216 Helena Alterby (Swe) 70 72 74
217 Marta Prieto (Spa) 75 72 70
219 Carlie Butler (Aus) 73 74 72, Stefania Croce (Ita) 72 78 69, Lisa Jean (Aus) 73 75 71
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