Diksha Dagar posts a stunning 66 to finish T4, Atthaya Thitikul wins title

Diksha Dagar played some of the finest golf in recent memory for a fourth place finish in the Czech Ladies Open. Atthaya Thitikul won the title

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Diksha Dagar - LET Images

27 June 2021: In one of her best finishes in recent times, Diksha Dagar produced a scintillating 66 for a tie in fourth place. Atthaya Thitikul underlined her promise with a thrilling victory in the Czech Ladies Open. The Thai star shot 65 to win by one over Nuria Itturioz. Thitikul finished the week at 15-under 201. The Spaniard shot 68 in the final round to close in second.

Diksha made six birdies in eight holes from the third for a thrilling run on Sunday. The Indian was bogey-free for 41 holes this week, signalling a return to form. This was her best finish since winning the SA Women’s Open in 2019. Diksha also finished in T7 at the Women’s NSW Open last year, with this her second top ten finish on the Ladies European Tour.

Atthaya Thitikul - LET Images
Atthaya Thitikul – LET ImagesDiksha 

Thitikul won an LET title for the third time, but it was her first as a professional. The 18-year-old collected her first two wins while still an amateur, winning the Thailand Championship in 2017 and 2019.

The youngster dropped a couple of early shots, after starting the day at eight-under. But she bounced back in style, pouring a hat-trick of birdies to take control over her destiny.

She made the turn in 34 strokes, with another birdie at the ninth. She made it a second hat-trick when birdies dropped on the tenth and eleventh, helping her stay toe to toe with Itturioz.

Thitikul piled the pressure on Itturioz with three birdies on the final four holes, setting the target after reaching the clubhouse at 15-under-par.

“I am so grateful for my first win outside of my country. I came close to a win on many previous tournaments, and I finally did it, it means so much to me! I am so proud to be able to represent my country. I understand my game which helped me a lot today. Nuria played some great golf this week and I know her time will come again in the future.”

Itturioz played spotless golf on Sunday, but needed a birdie as she measured up the fairway on the par-5 18th. Itturioz played with aggression, trying to reach the green in two, only to carry the green with her second. After pitching back on, she two-putted for a par and second place behind the young Thai.

“This is golf, a few putts did not drop today, and it was really tight, just by one shot. I am happy even though I did not win. I do not think luck had anything to do with it and this will only encourage me to practice more and get better,” said the runner-up.

Leonie Harm threw herself into contention taking just 30 strokes on the front nine. A double bogey at the tenth upended her chances, but she came home to a couple of birdies to secure third place.

Diksha Dagar and Cloe Frankish (68) ended the week at 12-under par for a tie in fourth place.