Spain’s Marta Martin fired a strong final round of 72 (par) to claim her first LET Access Series (LETAS) title by a stroke at the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge.
The 26-year-old from Madrid started the last day one shot behind fellow Spaniard Elia Folch from Barcelona.
It took another 15 holes for her to tie with England’s Gemma Clews, until she finally won with a dramatic tap in birdie to finish one-under-par for the tournament.
Playing in the leading group, in sunny conditions, Martin went out in 39 after three bogeys on holes three, five and nine.
At the turn, Martin fired up the flatstick to record a faultless back nine with birdies on holes 12,15 and 18.
Speaking about the win Martin said, “I mean I cannot believe it still; I had no idea I had the chance to win as I shot three over on the front nine. I just had a good approach shot on 18.
“I have to say I started off a little nervous, so I hit some very bad shots on the front nine, but I had the ability to make a couple good pars.
“Then, I just decided to play golf on the back nine and to have fun and when I saw the girls throwing water on me, I honestly did not believe it.”
The win is Martin’s first professional victory and in the LETAS Order of Merit she now jumps 14 places to second place behind Denmark’s Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen.
“I don’t know how I am going to celebrate,” Martin said, “I will probably just buy drinks for my friends and enjoy the win back home with my family.”
Martin was joined in the final group by two other Spaniard’s Elia Folch and Clara Moyano Reigosa alongside Italy’s Lucrezia Colombotto Rosso.
Speaking about playing with other Spaniards Martin said, “I’ve known Clara since I was younger, and I have known Elia for a long time and Lucrezia speaks Spanish, so it was honestly like just playing at home.”
Clews occupied solo second place after another solid performance to bag her first top 10 finish of the season.
The 28-year-old from Manchester carded rounds of 72,75 and 79 to finish on par.
There was a five-way tie for third place with Finland’s Tia Teinketo, Sweden’s My Leander, Czech Amateur Patricie Mackova, France’s Chloe Salort and Colombotto Rosso all finishing on one-over-par.
Finland’s Emily Pentitila and Sweden’s Emma Thorngren shared eighth place, with Czechia’s Klara Hurtova, Moyano Reigosa and Folch in a tie for 10th.
LETAS now heads to Sweden for the Vasteras Open by Elite Hotels which takes place on June 29- July 1.
