Slovenia’s Pia Babnik Darling led from start to finish at the 2019 Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship as a bogey-free round of 66 helped the youngster claim a seven-shot victory over France’s Charlotte Bunel.
With a three-shot lead going into Sunday’s final round, Babnik continued to play outstanding golf on the links at Royal Troon Old Course, picking up four shots in as many holes on the front nine in Ayrshire. Speaking to Scottish Golf after the prizegiving ceremony, Babnik said:
“Today it was a bit tougher out there compared to the other days. The wind was tricky but when I made my eagle, I just tried to keep making good shots. I didn’t make any mistakes and even though I knew I could win, I just wanted to focus on my own game
Babnik’s win at Royal Troon boosts the Slovenian’s hopes of a return to Scotland in September with today’s win providing valuable PING Junior Solheim Cup points. Speaking to Scottish Golf following the prizegiving, Babnik admitted she would love to be back in Scotland later this year, adding:
“It would mean a lot to be part of the team, I came here to get qualification points for the PING Junior Solheim Cup and yeah, I won. For me, it would be a very special day to be part of the European team.”
Scotland’s Shannon McWilliam and Chloe Goadby were winners of the annual team event, taking home the Ladies’ Club Silver Salver. McWilliam also finished as the top Scot as this year’s event on six-under-par. Speaking to Scottish Golf, McWilliam said:
“It was another really good result for me today, I have finished in the top five at the Helen Holm quite a few times now and to win the team event with Chloe was really nice as well. It’s been a great week and one I will remember after making my fourth hole-in-one of my career at Royal Troon Portland on Friday.”
