France’s Marion Ricordeau claimed her fourth professional victory today Castle Hill Country Club, defeating Rachel Hetherington at the 3^rd playoff hole to win the Renault Ladies Classic.

Ricordeau, Hetherington and Breanna Gill all shot 4 under par rounds of 70, meaning a sudden death playoff was required. At the first playoff hole Gill hit her tee shot slightly left of the pin and was unlucky to kick left into the greenside bunker. Hetherington hit a superb 6 iron to 3 metres, while Ricordeau hit her tee shot 5 metres from the hole.
Gill, facing an almost impossible bunker shot and sensing she needed something special left her shot in the sand to effectively put her out of the playoff. Ricordeau’s birdie putt slid past the hole leaving Hetherington needing to make her putt for victory. She hit a great putt that somehow lipped out, and it was back to the tee for Hetherington and Ricordeau.

On the third playoff hole Hetherington slightly mis-hit hit her tee shot leaving her around 15 metres way, while Ricordeau attacked the flag, leaving herself just 3 metres away. Hetherington’s putt somehow lipped out again, leaving Ricordeau 3 metres between herself and victory. She calmly knocked the putt in and rushed to hug her boyfriend Inigo who has travelled from Europe to caddy for her on the ALPG in 2015.

For Ricordeau, the win was her first since 2012, and puts her in a strong position to take one of the 10 qualifying positions from the ALPG Tour money list for the ISPS Handa Womens Handa Australian Open. She was delighted to win an event sponsored by French Car manufacturer Renault saying “this win is even more special as a French company is the sponsor, and I drive a Renault at home in France”

The ALPG tour heads 15 kms east to Pennant Hills Golf Club for the next event in the ALPG Club Car Series, Tte Pennant Hill ALPG pro-am tomorrow.