(Playa de Las Americas, May 4 2003) Germany’s Elisabeth Esterl can now add a victory to her 22 top tens and five runners up spots on the Ladies European after winning the Tenerife Ladies Open ahead of the impressive Welsh amateur Becky Brewerton at Golf Las Americas.
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| Brewerton – nearly snatched it |
“I wasn’t really nervous out there, I was calm and playing with Becky and ‘Dibs’ it felt like a normal Tuesday practice round.
“It’s pure relief though, everyone has been saying I should have won so many times and I am glad I handled the pressure today. Before, I’ve always bombed out early and that’s the first time I have actually played under that kind of pressure coming down the last few holes – But now I’ve broken the ice and I hope for many more titles to come.”
Esterl also paid tribute to Brewerton, who incidentally beat the Bavarian in the Weetabix Challenge fourball matches two weeks ago.
“Becky is such a good player, a wonderful ball striker and she has a great future ahead of her. I was very impressed with her.”
Brewerton was disappointed at the final result after coming so close to gaining a three year Tour exemption if she won. But the amiable 21-year-old from Abergele will turn professional at the end of the season and is sure to be a big hit on Tour.
“It’s been a great week, I enjoyed it a lot,” said Brewerton. “I had butterflies in my stomach this morning and in the end it was really close. It was a shame about the 17th, but that was when I felt I played like the amateur and Lis made a great birdie.”
Esterl, who the travelling reserve at Interlachen last year for The Solheim Cup, moved up to 5th place in the current Solheim rankings and up to fourth place on the order of merit with 167.78 points.
