Australia’s Kristalle Blum. LET

By Matt Smith
Dubai-based 16-year-old Chiara Noja showed once again why she is one of the hottest prospects for the future of women’s golf as she bounced back from a rib injury that forced her to miss the Aramco Team Series — London to finish T2 in Belgium and stretch her lead in the Ladies European Tour Access Series Order of Merit

Australia’s Kristalle Blum recorded her first victory on the series at the Golf Vlaanderen LETAS Trophy, one ahead of Noja, local star Sophie Bert and France’s Yvie Chaucheprat and Momoka Kobori from New Zealand.

The 24-year-old Blum held on to the one-shot lead at the start of the day having carded rounds of 69 and 67 on the first two days.

Although Blum dropped a few shots during the round, she signed for a three-over 75 to keep her single-shot lead in front of the chasing pack.

“I was very nervous the last few holes and just tried to focus on my breathing,” she said. “I had no idea where I sat on the leaderboard, so I just had to keep doing my thing and I’m glad it was enough.”

It was particularly special for Blum as she has had her brother Nick on the bag for the last three LETAS events, where she has had two top-10 finishes and a victory.

With her runner-up finish, Germany’s Noja continues to dominate the LETAS Order of Merit standings with 1,171.25 points while New Zealand’s Kobori moves to the second spot with 813.75 points.

After her first win and three additional top-10 finishes this season, Kristalle Blum moves to fourth place with 740.75 points.

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