The KPMG Women’s Irish Open came to an unusual end on Sunday when Anne Van Dam broke her driver en route to the first playoff hole.
Van Dam was riding in the passenger seat of a golf cart driven by a Ladies European Tour official as she made her way to the 18th.th tee to begin the playoff. The cart spun off the fairway and went under a rope, which caught Van Dam’s driver and pulled her bag off the cart.
When Van Dam and the official picked up the bag from the ground, the shaft of her driver was broken and the club head remained in the grass as a shock came over the Dutchman’s face.
This club wasn’t even Van Dam’s main driver, it was her backup. Her main driver was destroyed earlier this week by an airline on the way to the event.
She was unable to get a replacement in time for the playoff and ended up teeing off with her 3-wood on the par 5.
Van Dam was joined in the playoffs by Denmark‘s Smilla Tarning Sønderby and SwedenLisa Pettersson. Soenderby was nine shots back after the third round before firing a final round 10-under 62 to make the playoff.
Even without a driver, Van Dam hit the longest drive of the three, finding the fairway and hitting his approach to 11 feet.
Petterson missed the green but was able to make birdie, setting the stage for Sønderby to continue his magical Sunday.
After pulling a 6-iron around a tree to 12 feet, Soenderby stepped up and hit the eagle putt to put the pressure on Van Dam, who couldn’t convert to extend the playoff.
Soenderby would ultimately play 19 holes at 12 under par to capture his first LET victory.