Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby has won the first ever MCB Ladies Classic – Mauritius, carding a five-under-par round of 67.
In a day of firsts, Agathe Liasne’s previous course record of 64 was quickly overturned by Italy’s Anna Zanusso, who tore up the course with a bogey-free round of 63.
Tight at the top
The Dane began the day tied with South Africa’s Casandra Alexandra and Germany’s Celina Sattelkau at nine-under-par through the first two rounds.
At one point yesterday, Soenderby had a five-shot lead after a sensational six birdies on the front nine – but a poor back nine brought things back to parity heading into the final day.
An early bogey was quickly overturned with an eagle on the ensuing par-5 6th, sending her to eleven-under-par at the turn.
Four birdies and one bogey on the back nine was just about enough for Soenderby, whose final putt of the week saw her claim her second win on the Ladies European Tour – three years after her victory at the KPMG Irish Open.
To make the win that little bit more sweet, Soenderby’s Mum, Kirsten, was on the bag for all three rounds – and managed to keep her cool as things got tense.
With Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall safely in the clubhouse at -13, the Soenderby family had a nervous wait on the 18th tee-box. Then tied for the lead, with a par-5 finish and the possibility of a second shot over water, all results were still firmly in play.
To add to that pressure, Alexandra drained a 30-foot putt for eagle to also finish at -13 for the week.
The perfect finish
A monster drive from Soenderby gave her just a long iron into the bunkered green – which was struck nicely to leave her two putts for birdie and the championship.
The first, from 15-feet, was hit past to leave her a nervy 4-footer back down the hill. But her cool head prevailed, the putt was made, and Soenderby had her win at last.
Alexandra will be left to rue two double-bogeys in the week, including one to open the back nine today.
It marks yet another second for the South African, who only has one win to her name on the LET, despite placing second eight times since February 2025. Her second place today closes the gap between her and Laisne, but she still sits at second place in the Order of Merit.
Speaking after her round, the 26-year-old was refreshingly frank in her assessment of the week: “I’m getting used to it at this stage, just one short again. There were a couple of mistakes and that’s why we were short. It’s not because we lack the talent or skill. If I’d played the perfect game and lost, then I’d be a little more worried.
“Second place isn’t as bad, obviously. It feels terrible because you’ve one shot or two shots behind winning, but we’re doing the right things. We’re playing good golf.”
