St Mellion amateur international ace Sammie Giles is the new English Women’s Open Stroke Play champion.
The 20-year-old Cornwall women’s champion from Saltash won the national title by finishing on one over 289 at St Anne’s Old Links GC and a shot ahead of Yorkshire’s Rochelle Morris.
Giles was always in the leading group following up a first round 73 with a level par 72 before opening up a two-shot lead following her third round one under par 71.
Giles held her nerve to stay a shot clear of Morris (Woodsome Hall GC) thanks to a final round 73 and a 15-foot birdie putt at the last.
The new national champion told South West Sports News: "I am really pleased because I played steady golf all week, there was nothing spectacular but I was really pleased with the way I played.
“I needed to sink that last putt because if Rochelle had sunk her putt and I didn't then it would have gone to a play-off.”
Devon's Jessica Bradley (Tiverton GC) finished tied 7th on 298 and Bristol's England women's international Bethan Popel (Long Ashton GC) tied 16th.
