Edmondstown's Anna Abom celebrated a "bittersweet" but historic victory when she raced to a 10-shot win in the inaugural South of Ireland Women's Amateur Open at Lahinch.
Leading by seven strokes heading into the final round, the Dubliner (19) added a four-under 70 to rounds of 70 and 68 to win on 14-under par from Hermitage's Kate Lanigan, who shot 72.
"I'm really happy to have won it, it's very cool that it's the first one of its kind," said Abom, whose win came just five months after the passing of her father, Bill.
"Definitely bittersweet. It's been a very hard few months. It's definitely been a bit of a struggle to keep going, so I'm definitely proud of myself for what I have done this weekend."
She added, "Nothing is ever guaranteed in golf; nothing is ever easy. There were so many good players behind me, it's links golf and anything can happen.
"I was just trying to keep the outcome a little bit less in my focus and just try and enjoy the day the same as I had the first two rounds."
On the Ladies European Tour, Elm Park's Anna Foster closed with a two-under 71 to lead the Irish challenge in the Investec South African Women's Open at Royal Cape.
She tied for 15th on five-under par, finishing ten strokes behind England's Esme Hamilton, who also shot 71 to claim her maiden Ladies European Tour title by two strokes from compatriot Cara Gainer on 15-under.
"This means a lot," Hamilton said. "I'm a bit lost for words. This is something I've dreamt about for a while.
"Hopefully, this is the start of many more wins. I'm very ambitious, and I'm excited about how I can build on this. But I'm going to make sure I enjoy this first."
Lahinch's Aine Donegan and Armagh's Olivia Mehaffey tied for 37th on level par after closing rounds of 74.
Meanwhile, Austria's Bernd Wiesberger (40) claimed his ninth DP World Tour win and his first in nearly five years with a three-shot victory in the Volvo China Open.
He shot a four-under 67 to finish on 19-under-par in Shanghai and edge out the UAE's Adrian Otaegui, who led by three strokes with nine holes to play before limping home in 39.
"It has been a tough couple of years," said an emotional Wiesberger. "It's been an unbelievable week.
"I played my heart out today. It wasn't pretty at times, but I got it done. Adrian is a great competitor and had it under control."
Wiesberger turned his day around when he chipped in for birdie at the 10th, then birdied the 11th and 13th to draw level.
"Something happened on my 10th hole that I can't explain, and that's how golf goes sometimes," he said after Ogaegui bogeyed the 12th and 16th and double-bogeyed the last for a 71
"I'm super proud of sticking through hard times on the golf course lately. This is for everyone at home and I couldn't be happier."
On the Asian Tour, South Korea's Jeongwoo Ham won the Singapore Open by two shots from Australia's Cameron John as both men earned their debuts in The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale through The Open Qualifying Series.
"It's an unbelievable feeling," John said. "I've wanted to play in Major championships my whole life.
"I came close back home in Australia, so to come over here and get it done means a lot. It's something I'll never forget."
Article Link: Bittersweet win for Anna Abom in inaugural Women's South of Ireland at Lahinch - News - Irish Golf Desk