Dutchwoman Christel Boeljon hadn’t made the cut in three previous three attempts but she held her nerve in a gripping four way finish to put her name alongside some of golf’s superstars who’ve won the Australian Ladies Masters title.
It took Boeljon 72 holes to hit the lead.
When she did, she raised her fists in a show of emotion after sinking her 1.1 metre birdie to take the $75,000 winner’s prize.
“I never guessed I’d be holding this trophy, it’s very special,” said the 24-year-old who made her Solheim Cup debut for Europe last September.
“Starting the season off with this win, it’s amazing.”
Boeljon registered rounds of 66-65-68-68 for a 21-under total, to be one clear of overnight leader So-Yeong Ryu (66-61-69-72) who led by four shots after the second round.
The 21-year-old South Korean had a disappointing final round, struggling into a tie for second with aggressive Italian Diana Luna (71-64-66-67) and gallant South Korean Ha-Neul Kim (72-65-64-67).
The ever-smiling Ryu was a shattered figure after holding the lead until the last hole – a hole she’d conquered with two birdies and an eagle the previous three rounds.
“I think I need to trust myself more,” said the disappointed US Open champion.
“My mind is too busy I need to think simple.”
It was the ice cool, even tempered Boeljon, who emerged victorious from a tense finish which at one stage near the end had four players at 20-under.
She produced a crucial birdie at the 15th hole to stay within one shot of the lead and then pulled off an even better up-and-down par save at the 16th after missing the green to re-join Ryu in the lead on 20-under.
Boeljon said the experience of helping underdogs Europe to an upset over the USA last September had helped her grow as a player.
The Dutch professional said seeing her name alongside Masters champions such as Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb and current world No.1 Yani Tseng was great given the success they’d achieved on the world stage.
“I think I can (compete with the best), I didn’t play in the Solheim Cup for no reason,” said Boeljon who finished eighth on the LET’s money list last year.
“I’m getting there. I may not be there yet, but I think I am getting there.
“We will just have to see how the year goes.”
Boeljon and the three runners-up will play next week’s Australian Ladies Open at Royal Melbourne which will feature six of the world’s top 10 ranked players, including Tseng.
Albury’s Lindsey Wright (70-71-66-68) and Canberra’s Nikki Campbell (67-67-70-71) were the leading Australians, eight shots behind the winner at 13-under.
New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko, who won last week’s NSW Open to make history as the youngest winner of a professional golf tournament, finished the leading amateur on six-under.
She will also head to Melbourne next week to defend her Australian Women’s Open amateur crown.