Bunque delivers on Rene Erichsen
Steph Bunque was prepared for a showdown – and the Victorian delivered.
The 21-year-old powerhouse sealed a grim two-shot victory at Royal Adelaide, ending Yuna Nishimura from Japan to win the 2019 Rene Erichsen Salver.
A member at Victoria Golf Club at Sandbelt of Melbourne, Bunque leads the final 36 holes, with playing partner Grace Kim dropping after a disappointing six-over in her last nine holes.
Challengers came from the recent Riversdale Cup winner Nishimura and a thriving Cassie Porter with a neat six under 67.
But a closing three-under-par 70 round was enough for the VIS athlete to secure her first win in 14 months.
"I had good vibes coming in this week," an ecstatic Bunque said.
"I know I played pretty well and Riversdale was a confidence booster last week."
Bunque was super over the firefly scores of four rounds from 72-66-71-70 to finish 13 under par.
World No. 227 was forced to fight hard with bogies on 12 and 13 that threatened her title chances before settling her nerves with critical birdies on 16 and 17.
"The course was great and the greens were cut to perfection, although I remember they were a bit faster last year," she said.
"After the first round I didn't play as well as I thought I'd do, but I knew it was there so I hung in and held on to my game plan, and it worked!
"I could not have asked for anything more."
Nishimura, from Napara Golf Club, was brave in trying back-to-back victories after her international breakthrough at Riversdale Golf Club last week.
Queenslander Porter, 16, was particularly impressive and rushed home with seven birdies to finish again in total third.
Kathryn Norris from Western Australia, the Japanese Sora Kamiya and the Korean Min A Yoon shared fourth place.
Ultimate women's scores.
