Azahara Muñoz has achieved one of the most important successes of her career by winning the Lacoste Ladies Open de France -belonging to the European Women’s Tour- with a sensational fourth round of 65 strokes for a total of -14. The golfer from Malaga, in her return to the top European circuit, faced the last day one stroke off the lead at Chantaco Golf Club (St. Jean de Luz, Aquitaine, France). Leading the French golfers Valentine Derrey, Joanna Klatten and Gwladys Nocera, but two Spaniards were ready to press behind: Azahara herself and Carlota Ciganda, who was fifth on the 1st tee. Azahara Muñoz soon took the lead with five birdies in the first nine holes, but neither Gwladys Nocera nor, above all, Valentine Derrey were willing to give up. The Spaniard went through the 15th with -15 and a two-stroke lead over her French rivals, which gave her a cushion that should be enough. And so it was. Azahara Muñoz allowed herself a bogey on 17 to win one of the emblematic tournaments of the European calendar. Carlota Ciganda, meanwhile, signed a 70 for -8 total. She was eighth in Chantaco.
In this way, Azahara Muñoz has confirmed that she is more than recovered from a doubtful start of the year. The Solheim Cup served to see again the best version of the Andalusian, whose performance has improved in recent tournaments. Last week she was at Arcos Gardens (Cadiz) training with her coach, Marcelo Prieto. This is the second individual victory of Azahara Muñoz in the Ladies European Tour. The first was in her first months as a professional at the Madrid Ladies Masters in 2009. This season she had only played two tournaments on the circuit, without making the cut in any of them.
As regards the European Men’s Tour, Pablo Larrazábal, with 17 under par and an outstanding third day of 63 strokes, was the best Spaniard in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, played at the mythical Old Course of St. Andrews (Carnoustie & Kingsbarns, Scotland). Alejandro Cañizares, with -15, also found a place in the Top 25 of the tournament.
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