- Thai star sinks birdie putt on first playoff hole
- Utama jumps to 12th in the LET Order of Merit
Aunchisa Utama rolled in her birdie putt on the first playoff hole to win the 2026 Dutch Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
The Thai star fired a bogey-free round of 66 (-6) on the final day of action to win with a score of nine-under-par at Goyer Golf & Country Club in The Netherlands.
After finishing her round, Utama was joined by Norway’s Dorthea Forbrigd at the top of the leaderboard as the duo headed back down 18 for the playoff.
The 35-year-old found the green in two and then sunk her 18-foot birdie putt to secure her maiden LET title and follow in the footsteps of Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab, who won this title in 2023.
“It means everything [to win], not only to me but every player. They put everything in their life to win or do the best we can. It means everything,” said Utama.
“It’s heartwarming to have players celebrate with you. I’m so happy to have friends around and not only Thai players but LET players. Everyone is so helpful.
“I facetimed my dad, it’s nine o’clock back home and they knew when I phoned them. He was so happy. My dad is crying.”
Utama began the day in a share of 15th place and rolled in her first birdie on the day on the fifth with a 12-footer before adding birdies on the seventh and the ninth holes.
The Thai star made a further birdie on 10 before back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 and a great par save on 18 to set the clubhouse lead.
“I tried to make par on every hole. I don’t think about making bogeys, I just wanted to make a par. I fixed my putter the last two weeks and now I try not to think about it too much when I hit it, I just go through and it worked,” she continued.
“[On her par on 18] I had to make that putt, so I have a chance to win. I just focused and committed to it, and it went in. I felt a lot of pressure waiting, but I tried to be as calm as I can and when I knew I had the playoff, I practiced and did my routine and kept calm and played.
“[On the playoff] I hoped the putt was going to go in, but I just made the swing as good as I can, so the ball ran in and I was so happy.”
Norway’s Forbrigd finished in second place, ultimately missing her birdie putt in the playoff, after producing a round of 68 (-4) on the final day.
The Norwegian started with a birdie at the first before rolling in another on the sixth and the ninth.
She made a birdie on 15 before dropping her only shot of the day on 16 and then she rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt on the last to also finish on nine-under-par.
“It was very nice to see everyone cheering me on [when I finished on 18]. That meant a lot. This performance makes me more relaxed knowing I can continue doing my thing and that it is good enough, and then one day hopefully, I’ll be fighting for a victory,” said Forbrigd.
Indian duo Avani Prashanth and Diksha Dagar ended the week in a tie for second place on eight-under-par.
Prashanth fired a round of 67 (-5) which included six birdies but unfortunately made a bogey on the last to miss out on the playoff.
“I’m obviously very happy with how the day went, but the last hole I guess that’s just sport. I played solid out there start to finish. Every part of my game really did well, so I’m happy,” said Prashanth.
“I’ve definitely been playing well the last two weeks; it’s been a long time since I’ve played golf like this. Finally, I’m healthy as well with my back. I definitely have been hitting it very good. I’ve just been waiting for the putts to drop and that’s exactly what happened today.
“It gives me a lot of confidence. Just playing in Jabra Ladies Open de France was helpful because that not a golf course that suits my games because I hit fades, but to play well there and finish top five and then third here is great.”
Eight players rounded out the top 10 with Wales’ Chloe Williams, India’s Pranavi Urs, American Annika Borrelli, Australian duo Justice Bosio and Kirsten Rudgeley, England’s Hannah Screen, Nigeria’s Georgia Iziemgbe Oboh and Spain’s Harang Lee all in T5 on seven-under-par.
There is not much change at the top of the LET Order of Merit with South Africa’s Casandra Alexander still leading the way on 1,777.65 points.
2026 Dutch Ladies Open champion Utama has moved up 55 spots and is now in 12th place with 646.98 points.
Next week the LET heads to Czechia for the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open at Royal Beroun Golf Club from June 26-28.
Keep up with all the action in The Netherlands on our socials– @LETgolf on Instagram and X and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #DutchLadiesOpen.
