She's Back! Wardle wins English Women’s Open Stroke Play title

Bel Wardle produced a phenomenal performance on the final day of the English Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship to win by nine shots and reclaim the title she picked up back in 2017.

Having shot a round of 67 on Wednesday to put herself into an overnight lead, Wardle returned on Thursday and showed no sign of nerves as she recorded rounds of 67 and 68 on the final day to pull clear of Ellie Gower in second and Lorna McClymont and Amelia Williamson who tied for third.

Thursday saw the best of the conditions at Wallasey Golf Club with a significant drop in wind speed from the previous two days and that was proven by the low scores shot by much of the field.

In her first outing of the day, Wardle came within a whisker of a bogey-free round but dropped a shot on the 8th with a narrowly missed putt.

That would prove to be her only dropped shot of the entire day though as she recorded 12 birdies and an eagle over the two rounds to speed away from her nearest competitors and get her hands back on the trophy she lifted at Woodhall Spa four years ago.

Wardle was narrowly beaten in the final of the English Amateur Championship earlier this month and the Prestbury golfer was determined to make sure she didn’t miss out on the top prize this time around.

🏆 @bel_wardle is the 2021 English Women’s Open Stroke Play Champion!

The 2017 winner produces a stunning performance to reclaim the title she lifted four years ago! pic.twitter.com/ig6LaUb4zw

— England Golf (@EnglandGolf) August 19, 2021

“It’s hard to say how I’m feeling after that,” Wardle said. “I’m just so happy and so excited and I played some really great golf out there today through both rounds.

“The putter got really hot yesterday and it stayed that way. I started to hit the ball closer because the wind was a lot calmer today so it was easier to control the ball in. With every opportunity I had, I seemed to get the birdie.

“I played with Amelia throughout the tournament and she’s a quick player which helped me. I know Amelia so well and it’s great to play with her in a tournament like this.

“I used my defeat at the English Amateur Championship to spur me on because I didn’t want to come second again. That was the main motivation for me and I’m so pleased to have got over the line.

“It was nice to see all my family and friends out there with me today and most of my friends here I’ve known for ten years or so now and we support each other. My friend Becca came out to caddie for me for all 36 holes as well so she’s dead on her feet!”