EMILY PEDERSEN WINS A HAT-TRICK OF TITLES IN SAUDI

Emily Pedersen, who has been in red-hot form all year, dominated in Saudi to seal a hat-trick of wins and with it The Race to Costa del Sol crown.

Denmark’s Emily Pedersen followed-up her triump in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International on Sunday, which she won after a thrilling play-off against Georgia Hall, by winning both the team and individual events in the inaugural Saudi Ladies Team International on Thursday.

Playing alongside her partners Scotland’s Michele Thomson, South Africa’s Casandra Hall and English amateur Matt Selby, Pedersen fired a bogey free final five-under-par round of 67 to win the individual title by two shots on -14 and lead her side to a slender one-shot win in the team event on -40.

In the individual event, Stephanie Kyriacou (AUS) fired five birdies and two eagles on the final day on her way to a course-record 63 and a share of 2nd alongside Anne van Dam (NED) and Luna Sobron Galmes (ESP) on -12, with Charley Hull (ENG) a further three strokes back in 5th place.

English duo Georgia Hall and Elanor Givens ended the week six shots back in a tie for 6th place, while Dame Laura Davies eagled the par-five last to close with a second successive two-under-par 70 and a share of 15th on -4.

The top Scot was Kelsey MacDonald, who finished tied for 12th on -5.

After completing her clean sweep in Suadi, Emily Pedersen said:

“We did really well today, we complemented each other. Today was the first day where we didn’t have a hole over par, so I’m really happy that we got that done and it was a really clutch putt by Casandra on the last."

"I can’t believe what’s happened this season, I was confident I could get back to where I was, but I couldn’t imagine that it would be like this. It’s been a strange year for all of us with COVID but while everyone’s saying it is the worst year, I’m having the best year ever, so that’s a little weird but I am really happy."

"I have loved the course; I think it sets up well for me and worked well with Mikey. We worked out our tactics and stuck to it through everything. The weather is good here, the people are nice, and it’s been a good ten days."

Her fellow team mate, Scotland's Michele Thomson added:

"It’s been unbelievable, I was absolutely delighted when I heard she'd [Pedersen] picked me. She is one of the best players I think I’ve ever played with and we just wanted to make some birdies out there today. Although I am about ten years older than her, I have learnt a lot from her this week, and I’ve gained a great friend this week."

This year's shortened Ladies European Tour (LET) will conclude next week at the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De Espana, with Pedersen already assured of winning the 2020 LET Order of Merit.