(Helsinki GC, Finland – August 25, 2005) – The Robe di Kappa Ladies European Tour (LET) breaks new ground this week when it heads to Finland for the €200,000 Ladies Finnish Masters at Helsinki Golf Club.
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| Finland’s Minea Blomqvist |
As a 19-year-old last year, the Finn took the world of women’s golf by storm by carding a course record nine-under-par 62 in the opening round en route to her maiden victory at the 2004 OTP Bank Central European Ladies Open. She then became the first player – male or female – to shoot a ten under par 62 in a major championship at the Weetabix Women’s British Open, her second score of that mark in three weeks.
Blomqvist won the Finnish Amateur Championship when it was played at Helsinki GC and so carries strong memories of this week’s course.
Despite a slower start to 2005, her 11th place finish at the Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika and two runners up finishes at both the Ladies English Open and OTP Bank Central European Opens provide evidence that she is showing signs of her best form this year.
“The course is in great condition and if I play my best, there should be no reason why I shouldn’t win,” she said during a press conference on Tuesday.
“This competition means so much to Finnish golf and we have been waiting for this for such a long time that I think we will get a massive amount of support.”
Helsinki Golf Club, which plays host to the 54-hole Ladies Finnish Masters, is the oldest in Finland and dates back to 1932. The classical, par 71, parkland course will provide a stern challenge to the 126 players who are competing in the field this week.
The Ladies Finnish Masters is the second event on the Volvo Cross Country Challenge, a designated Order-of-Merit for LET events played across the Scandinavian region.
At the conclusion of the VXCC, following next week’s Nykredit Masters in Denmark, the winner will receive a Volvo Car and US$25,000.
Points will be awarded to the top 15 qualifying players at each LET event in the Nordic region and a US$100,000 bonus pool will be divided among the top ten players.
