Julia Engstrom claims title at El Prat


Sweden’s Julia Engstrom, pictured above with the championship trophy,  claimed her second victory of the season, by a one- shot margin over Mireia Prat of Spain, at the season-ending Santander Golf Tour LETAS El Prat, near Barcelona.

The 17-year-old from Bjarred closed with a six-under-par 66 over the challenging Real Club de Gol El Prat, to move to three under par and ahead of the field and lead in the clubhouse. Engstrom endured around an hour’s wait until the overnight leaders had completed their rounds before she could celebrate. The talented young Swede credited her strong performance on the greens for her impressive finish.

“It was the putting especially during the back nine. I managed to hole a few birdie putts and some good par putts as well when it was necessary and I didn’t make that many mistakes. I was quite solid all day and I think that was the key. It’s a nice course to play, it’s a tough one. We really get a test and I’m excited about how I played today.” 
Engstrom enjoyed a stellar amateur career before turning professional at the beginning of this year. At the age of 15, she became the youngest ever winner of the Ladies' British open amateur championship at Dundonald Links, Ayrshire.
She is looking forward to the challenges ahead in the paid ranks.
“It’s a new chapter in my golf career turning pro this year. It’s been a long season, it’s had it’s ups and downs I think as many seasons are but I’m really happy with the end of the season. I played quite well and I feel more comfortable going into the tournaments now.
"I feel more at home than I did in the beginning. It was quite new and I was just looking at what everyone else was doing and now I’m just doing my own thing, but I’m very happy with my year.”

Local favourite Mireia Prat narrowly missed out on a home victory. The Spanish player has been attached to Real Club de Gol El Prat for the last two years and enjoys the impressive facilities the venue provides. Prat closed with a four-under-par 68 and a two-under-ar total, to occupy  second place on her own.

Finland’s Ursula Wikstrom finished in third place, also shooting 68, for a 215 total. Five players finished tied for 4^th place at even par, England’s Cloe Frankish, who also earned her LET card for next season, Linda Henriksson (72) of Finland, France’s Ariane Provot (70), My Leander (72) from Sweden, and Spain’s Noemi Jimenez (73), who finished the season in 2^nd place on the final LETAS Order of Merit.

Sweden’s Emma Nilsson claimed the top spot on the LETAS ranking, amassing 22,492 points during the season. The Swede was delighted with her achievement, adding a win this year at the Belfius Ladies Open and not finishing outside the top 28 places throughout the season.

“I am very happy, it means a lot to me. My goal at the beginning of the year was to finish top 5 to improve my status on the LET but then when it came to the end of the season, I was like maybe I can win this and then yeah I did, so I am really happy.”