Munt denies Esterl in extra time

(Lisbon, May 25 2003) Australia’s Alison Munt secured her first victory in three years at the Lancia Ladies Open of Portugal after defeating Germany’s Elisabeth Esterl at the first extra hole at Aroeira GC.

Munt fired a four under par 68 in the final round to tie on seven under par with the German, who earlier, carded a best of day 66 to race into contention for her second Tour title in three weeks.

Serena Williams/Tiger Woods?

Despite missing the cut – each of them carded two rounds of 77 around this tight and demanding layout – both admitted to being treated “like young women” and not precocious kids as they stepped up to the plate in their first professional event.

The Team Faldo players were both recipients of an invitation from Ian Randell, chief executive of the Tour and are already looking forward to playing in the Irish Open in three weeks time alongside such luminaries as Laura Davies, Sophie Gustafson and two players whom they have befriended this week – Paula Marti and Lis Esterl.

Coincidentally, European number one Marti and Esterl were drawn together in the final round and two of Europe’s finest dished up a feast of birdies for the two young spectators and rounded out a week both of whom described as “awesome”.

While both players have to wait at least five years before they can join the professional ranks, they are names to watch out for in the future and one veteran of the Tour described the braided-locked Brockway as “a perfect mixture of Serena Williams and Tiger Woods” – And how British women’s golf could do with either, or both of those.