Smilla Tarning Soenderby birdied the 18th on the Legend course at Constance Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius to thrillingly win the inaugural MCB Ladies Classic by one stroke. The 25-year-old from Denmark began her final round poorly, dropping a shot at the twisting par-5 4th - but bounced back with an eagle three at the par 5 two holes later and picked up another stroke at the 9th. She birdied 10, 13 and 15 but gave one back to the field at 14 before making the decisive birdie on the risk-reward par-5 18th to end Kajsa Arwefjall and Casandra Alexander’s hopes of a play-off.
That closing birdie gave Soenderby – whose previous win on the Ladies European Tour was at the 2023 KPMG Women's Irish Open - a final round of 67 to follow her 66 and 69.
“Thank you to my mum who has been with me as my caddy this week. It has been so special and we will remember it forever,” said Soenderby. “It has been an amazing event and I hope we are coming back! I really enjoyed the Legend course and thank you to all the partners, our hosts Constance Belle Mare Plage and in fact everyone who made this great week possible. “I’m so happy with this win because the week has been so well organised and we hope we have showcased Mauritius to the world this week.”
Sweden’s Arwefjall – who had shot 68, 69 in a consistent showing - made six birdies and avoided any dropped shots in her closing 66 that set a stiff clubhouse target of 13 under for the last two groups. Alexander of South Africa, meanwhile, eagled the last to match Arwefjall on 13 under, an aptly thrilling end to a rollercoaster round of 67 that also included six birdies but also a double bogey and two bogeys.
Anna Zanusso of Italy made four consecutive birdies on the front nine in an outward half of 32 then came back in a blistering 31 shots to set a new course record of 63 and finish fourth having started the day way back of the leaders. Alice Hewson of England made four birdies in eight holes in a magnificent back nine of 32 to get to 10-under-par for the tournament and at one point threaten to post a clubhouse lead that the late groups would struggle to match.
Agathe Laisne of France, who had opened the tournament with a majestic course-record 64 and is chasing a Solheim Cup debut in September, closed with a 69 for a share of fifth. Kirsten Rudgeley of Australia picked up two shots on both halves in a controlled 68 to give her a five-way share of fifth alongside Laisne and Hewson as well as Celina Sattelkau and Alexandra Forserling, both of Germany.
The MCB Ladies Classic – which is part of the Ladies European Tour’s global schedule - is the first professional ladies event to have been staged on the island of Mauritius.
