Louise Rydqvist is the 2024 European Ladies’ Amateur Champion. The Swede emerged victorious from a battle with Meja Örtengren and Andrea Revuelta in the final round, to finally raise the trophy on what was most probably her last opportunity.
Teeing off as the overnight leader, Rydqvist set the tone with birdies on holes 2 and 3 of the final round. But her opponents were also off to a good start, as proven by Spain’s Andrea Revuelta, who carded three birdies in the opening five holes.
Playing in the last group with her Swedish compatriot, Meja Örtengren was also quickly off the mark with birdies on 1 and 5.
But Revuelta and Örtengren had to go through a birdie drought on the back-9, which only ended for both players on the last green. The Spaniard was able to clinch the silver medal, as Örtengren secured bronze.
Still sitting on top through nine holes, Louise Rydqvist eventually pulled away from the bunch with birdies on 13 and 16. A two-shot advantage over Revuelta through 17 meant she could enjoy her walk down the last fairway.
"I was just kind of walking and looking around me being very grateful for where I am and my team that brought me to the place I am today as a golfer but also as a person" said Rydqvist.
She concluded the Championship with an ultimate birdie, winning at 14-under-par by three strokes.
"I'm extremely happy" said Rydqvist after sinking the winning putt. "Gosh it hasn't really soaked in yet, it's a lot of emotions."
"I'm just proud of the way I fought out there today. It's definitely a check, one of my goals for this year was to actually finish on the podium in this event and to be on top is definitely an accomplishment, so I'm very very happy."
Louise Rydqvist’s return to South Carolina University will have to suffer a slight delay this year. On the 22nd of August, she will make her maiden Major appearance in the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews.