Cayetana Fernandez has won the Copa S.M. La Reina at Real Club Pineda. The recent Junior Vagliano Trophy winner with the Continent of Europe joins an impressive list of winners in what is one of the most prestigious titles in European amateur golf.
The 16-year-old started the tournament with rounds of 70 (-2) and 72 (par) to finish in a tie for 12th in the stroke play qualifying stage.
Cayetana’s first opponent in the match play rounds was Denmark’s Cecilie Leth-Nissen. A tight affair went in favour of the Spaniard, who won 1up.
Her next match was more straightforward, defeating France’s Valentine Delon 6&5. Cayetana then defeated Mia Sandtorv Lussand 1up in Round 3 before defeating former Junior Vagliano Trophy player, Amalie Leth-Nissen 4&3 in Round 4.
Her opponent in the final-four was compatriot, Andrea Revuelta. Despite going 2 down through 2 holes, Cayetna recovered for a 2&1 victory.
Germany’s Charlotte Back was the only other player standing after two rounds of stroke play and five rounds of match play and would face Cayetana in the final. The ultimate match was extremely close, with the match going down the 18th, and 13 of the 18 holes halved. The Spaniard was never behind but was also never ahead by more than one hole. Ultimately, Cayetana was able to close out the match, and with it the title, with a 1up victory.
The win is the biggest in the 16-year-old’s amateur career so far, and will certainly improve her World Amateur Golf Ranking from 171st in the next update.
The victory is the second by a home player in two editions, after Carla Bernat claimed the title last year.
The full results can be found on the Spanish Golf Federation website below:
Full results
Images: © Royal Spanish Golf Federation
