Babnik defeats Holpfer for R&A Girls’ Amateur title

Pia Babnik made history at the R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship by becoming the first Slovenian to win the title. Babnik, who is just 15, defeated Austria’s Isabella Holpfer in the 18-hole final. Holpfer also played in the title match a yer ago, losing to Emma Spitz.

By winning the event, Babnik receives exemptions into Final Qualifying for the 2020 AIG Women's British Open as well as the Women’s Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie) and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.

Babnik had the upper hand at Montrose (Scotland) Golf Links for much of the day. She moved into the lead when Holpfer’s drive on the third found trouble and she could only manage a bogey on the par-5. Babnik, who won the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship in April, capitalized on bogeys from Holpfer on Nos. 4 and 6 to go to 3 up.

The Slovenian ended the day with a 4-and-3 victory.

“I feel really great not just because I won but because I played really well," Babnik told the R&A. "Isabella played well too so it was just about luck and today I was luckier."

“The tee shot was important today because again it was really, really, really windy. If you hit it on the fairway and then your second on the green it was quite easy then just to putt. My putting was also good so everything worked for me today.

“It means a lot because it was a really tough week. I’m so excited to play in some great tournaments that come with winning here. I didn’t watch the crowd a lot but it was great to have so many people out watching us today.”

Information and quotes from the R&A used in this report