Denmark's Smilla Tarning Soenderby claims KPMG Women's Irish Open With Eagle In Play-off after Anne Van Dam bizarrely broke her driver on the way to the first playoff hole

KPMG Women's Irish Open winner Smilla Tarning Soenderby

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 3 September 2023

Smilla Tarning Soenderby claimed her maiden LET title in an astonishing finish to the KPMG Women's Irish Open after Anne Van Dam bizarrely broke her driver on the way to the first playoff hole.

Soenderby started the day nine shots off leader Van Dam but made 11 birdies firing a scorching 10-under 62 to set the target at 16-under at Dromoland Castle. The Dane , 23, then waited around to learn she was in a play-off with Holland's Van Dam, who shot 71, and Sweden's Lisa Petterson, who shot 68.

But Van Dam's prospects took a cruel blow when she bizarrely broke her Callaway driver when heading to the par 5 474-yard 18th in a buggy for the playoff after the clubhead got caught in the rope and snapped off.

The Dutchwoman was being driven down the middle of the 18th fairway when the decision was taken to duck under the fairway ropes but her clubs were ripped off the back of the cart.

She had no possibility of getting another but used a three wood to outdrive Petterson and Soenderby, who hit a 178-yard six iron from the fairway to 12 feet and rolled in the eagle putt. Van Dam still had an eagle putt from even closer to extend the playoff though but missed to give Soenderby her maiden win.

Asked about Van Dam's bad luck, Soenderby said: "Pretty chaotic playoff hole when I got to that tee box. I'm really sorry for what happened to Anne. Like it's super unfortunate. She did quite well anyway."

Anne Van Dam had a near miss at the KPMG Irish Women's Open

Soenderby three-putted the 72nd hole last year to miss out on another three-way playoff but this time was crying tears of joy after her brilliant earlier round.

She reflected: "I didn't think it was enough when I got into the clubhouse, but it turned out to be. After the 18th last year, I said I'm okay to not be in the playoff because I'm not sure I'm ready to be in that position, and I'm ready for it now.

"I knew how to handle those feelings and emotions that came on that 18th fairway. I knew what to do, and I did it. I hit a good drive, a very long drive compared to the first time around, and then I had 178 yards. I just wanted to get it in the middle of the green. I missed it a bit left, and it sounded like almost holed it and then the putt went in."

Ireland's Leona Maguire finished with a one-under 71 to finish eight shots outside the playoff on in a tie for 14th on eight-under.

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James Nursey is a freelance contributor to Golf Monthly after spending over 20 years as a sports reporter in newspapers. During a 17-year career with the Daily Mirror, he covered mainly football but reported from The Open annually and also covered a Ryder Cup and three US Opens. He counts a pre-tournament exclusive with Justin Rose at Merion in 2013 as one of his most memorable as the Englishman went on to win his first Major and later repeated much of the interview in his winner’s speech. Now, after choosing to leave full-time work in newspapers, James, who is a keen single-figure player, is writing about golf more. His favourite track is the Old Course after attending St Andrews University but has since played mainly at Edgbaston, where he is on the honours board. He is an active member of the Association of Golf Writers and Press Golfing Society but his favourite round is playing the game with his children. James is currently playing: Driver: Ping G400 3 wood: Ping i20 Hybrid: Ping i20 Irons: Ping i500 4-SW Wedges: Ping Glide forged 50, 56 Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Ball: Titleist ProVI

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