The inaugural ISPS Handa World Invitational Men | Women, Presented by Modest! Golf Management produced two worthy champions as local hero Stephanie Meadow held off Charley Hull to win the women’s tournament while Jack Senior defeated compatriot and good friend Matthew Baldwin in a sudden death play-off.
Galgorm Castle Golf Club witnessed high drama until the final putt was holed as Meadow showed real nerve to earn victory ahead of the charging Hull, securing a one-shot victory, before Senior triumphed with a birdie on the second extra hole.
Northern Ireland’s Meadow carded a level par round of 73, which included back-to-back birdies on the tenth and 11th holes after a double bogey on the ninth, to stay at her third round total of ten under par and finish one shot clear of Hull in second, who put together a four under par round of 69.
After Senior’s birdie on the 72nd hole ensured he would contest a play-off against Baldwin, who signed for the low round of the day with a six under 64, the Galgorm crowds were almost faced with the prospect of a double play-off with Hull hunting down Meadow.
However, after the Solheim Cup player stiffed a three-wood approach to six feet, her eagle putt slid past the hole which allowed Meadow to secure victory with a par.
With the destination of the women’s title decided, Senior and Baldwin returned to the 18th tee after both finishing on 11 under par, two shots clear of Todd Clements in third place.
After both finding the rough from the tee and eventually going down for par, they returned for a second trip down the final hole.
Baldwin took three shots to reach the green before needing three more strokes to eventually go down for bogey, leaving Senior with a six-foot putt for victory which he duly holed before celebrating with girlfriend and caddy Beth in front of the packed grandstand.
Meadow, who plays on the LPGA Tour in North America, said: “It’s unbelievable to win here really. I’m so excited and honoured as well. I want to thank ISPS Handa and Modest! for giving me the opportunity to come home and compete at home – and win at home! It’s very, very special.
“I watched a few of the leaderboards out there and I knew a couple of the other girls were close, but not really close enough, but when Charley hit that three-wood to six feet on 18, it was an unreal shot and she’s an unreal player but luckily I was able to hit a nice one in there as well. She didn’t make the putt but it was a great run at me. She definitely gave me a run for my money.”
Senior, who last tasted victory in Scotland in 2015, said: “It’s great to get it over the line. I’ve been close a couple of times this year but to finally get it done means a lot. I’d like to say thank you to ISPS Handa and the Modest! guys – they’ve done a great job again of running this golf tournament.
“I’ve been in three play-offs before and won all three, so keep the play-offs coming I say! You should feel a bit relaxed coming into a play-off because no matter what happens, you’ve still had a really good week so it takes the pressure off a little bit.
“I’m a big leaderboard watcher so I knew what I needed to do coming down the last. I think when I know what I need to do, I play my best golf.
“I’ve been mixed between the European Tour and Challenge Tour this year and it’s always difficult to make a decision on what to do. I had the opportunity to go and play in Prague this week but I said at the start of the season that August was going to be crunch time for me in terms of what Tour to play on.
“I feel like I’ve made the right decision this week with getting the win and no matter what level you win at, it’s always great to do it.”
Following his victory, Senior jumps from 58th to 11th on the Challenge Tour Rankings and in doing so earns a spot in next week’s limited field Rolex Trophy in Geneva.
Meadow, meanwhile, will jet across the Atlantic Ocean to compete in the CP Women’s Open in Canada on the LPGA Tour.
