Eberl Wins BMW Ladies Italian Open

7/20/2008

Germany’s Martina Eberl cruised to a five stroke victory at the BMW Ladies Italian Open in Tuscany. The win was her second in 10 months after the 2007 Madrid Ladies Masters last October.

The 26-year-old from Munich added a closing two-under 69 to opening rounds of 67, 74 and 65 for a total of nine-under-par 275 at Argentario Golf Resort and Spa on Monte Argentario.

Eberl began the day with a two stroke lead and stalled with an early bogey at the second hole, but bounced back with two tap in birdies at the seventh and eighth holes to claim a three stroke cushion at the turn.

She knocked in a four-foot birdie putt at the par-four 10th hole, before carding another bogey at the 13th hole, where she pulled her tee shot left into deep bushes and took a penalty drop.

She sealing the win and first prize of €67,500 with a tap-in birdie at the par-four 18th hole.

Spain’s Carmen Alonso had a career best finish of second after shooting 66 and playing the back nine in six-under-par.

Alonso, who has limited playing privileges on tour this year, entered the tournament as the first reserve and with her fine performance almost certainly secured her card for the 2009 season.

The longest hitter on the Ladies European Tour fired five birdies in a row from the 10th hole, with another at the 16th, for an inward total of 29 strokes.

Leaderboard – Final:

1.  Martina Eberl                  GER  65 74 67 69 275 - 9
2.  Carmen Alonso                ESP  67 70 77 66 280 - 4
3.  Maria Hjorth                   SWE  64 73 72 72 281 - 3
     Becky Brewerton              WAL  66 71 72 72 281 - 3
     Lisa Holm Sorensen         DEN  68 70 70 73 281 - 3
6.  Anne-Lise Caudal             FRA  72 76 67 67 282 - 2
     Christine Hallstrom          SWE  70 71 72 69 282 - 2
     Stefania Croce                 ITA  69 73 71 69 282 - 2
     Gwladys Nocera                FRA  65 70 73 74 282 - 2
10. Tania Elosegui                 ESP  70 78 65 70 283 - 1

Source: Ladies European Tour