Jana Melichova fired a final round of 67 to come from behind and secure her first professional victory at the Dutch Ladies Open.
The Czech player, who won the 2022 Czech Ladies Open as an amateur, began the final day at Hilversumsche Golf Club six shots behind leader Kim Metraux of Switzerland, but the deficit had reduced to just two at the halfway mark.
Melichova continued to switch the momentum, rolling in more birdies as Metraux went out of bounds on the 12, but despite a fightback from the Swiss star, it wasn’t enough.
The 26-year-old Czech made a birdie at the 16th to give her a one-shot lead which she held onto to secure her second LET title with a score of 11-under-par.
“I feel absolutely amazing,” said Melichova after picking up the trophy and the €45,000 first prize. “It means so much. Especially as I have been struggling so much this year. I have just not been making cuts, I have not had good results and been struggling overall mentally. This win is going to give me some major confidence going forward.
After her victory, Melichova dedicated the win to her mother, who sadly died in 2022.
“When she passed away, I swore to myself that I was going to win a title for her, and I really wanted to do that for her,” she explained. “Her birthday being this week, it just made it all so special and I think that’s what motivated the most this week.
Metraux, who led from the first day, had a final round of 74 to finish in outright second on 10-under-par. Thailand’s April Angurasaranee and England’s Liz Young ended the week in a tie for third, two shots further back.
For all the scores from the Dutch Ladies Open, click here.