EnglandS Cara Gainer claimed the first Ladies European Tour win of her career in a play-off at the Lalla Meryem Cup on Saturday. The 29-year-old defeated India’s Diksha Dagar to lift the title in Morocco in what was the 76th tournament she has played on the Tour.
Gainer posted a final round of four-under 69, while 24-year-old Dagar finished on six-under 67, leaving the pair tied on nine under overall.A bogey for Dagar opened the door for Gainer to take victory by birdieing the play-off hole.
Ireland’s Lauren Walsh finished joint-fourth with Nuria Iturrioz on seven under,while England’s Annabell Fuller ended level on six under with France’s Nastasia Nadaud. Gainer was one of nine players chasing down overnight leader shannon tan after Friday’s third round.
Singapore’s Tan was overtaken by the first nine holes, however, as she failed to make any birdies, eventually ending the tournament in third. Iturrioz started brightly with four consecutive birdies to take the lead,but the Spaniard dropped out of the running after four bogeys on the back nine.
Sources:
[[1]: The Golf Business](https://thegolfbusiness.co.uk/2025/02/cara-gainer-secures-first-let-victory/)
[[2]: YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqxrmwZI-tw)
[[3]: Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/13305381/ladies-european-tour-cara-gainer-wins-first-let-event-at-lalla-meryem-cup-after-dramatic-play-off)
Cara Gainer’s Historic Victory at teh Lalla Meryem Cup
Table of Contents
In a thrilling finish at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco,England’s Cara Gainer secured her first Ladies European Tour (LET) win in a dramatic playoff. The 29-year-old defeated India’s Diksha Dagar, marking a significant milestone in her career. This article delves into the key moments of the tournament and the players who made headlines.
interview with Golf specialist, Jane Thompson
Jane Thompson, a renowned golf analyst and expert, shares her insights on Cara Gainer’s historic win and the overall performance at the Lalla Meryem Cup.
Congratulations on Your Historic Win, Cara Gainer
Senior Editor (SE): Cara Gainer’s victory at the Lalla Meryem Cup was nothing short of stunning. Can you provide some context on her performance and what this win means for her career?
Jane Thompson (JT): Absolutely. Cara Gainer’s win at the Lalla Meryem Cup is a significant achievement. It was her 76th tournament on the LET, and her consistent performance finally paid off. Finishing with a final round of four-under 69 and tying with Diksha Dagar at nine under she showed remarkable resilience and skill. The playoff victory was a testament too her ability to perform under pressure.
The Intense Playoff Moment
SE: The playoff hole was particularly dramatic.Can you walk us through that crucial moment?
JT: Indeed, the playoff was intense. Diksha Dagar opened with a bogey, which created an opportunity for Cara Gainer to seize the title. Gainer capitalized on this by birdieing the playoff hole, securing her first LET victory. This moment highlighted her ability to stay focused and capitalize on her opponent’s mistakes,which is a vital skill in professional golf.
Other Notable Performances
SE: Besides Gainer and Dagar, who else impressed during the tournament?
JT: Ireland’s Lauren Walsh and Nuria Iturrioz from Spain both finished joint-fourth, showcasing strong performances. Annabell Fuller from England and Nastasia Nadaud from France ended level on six under. These players demonstrated consistent form and are ones to watch in future tournaments.
The Overnight Leader’s Struggle
SE: Singapore’s Shannon Tan was the overnight leader but struggled in the final round. What went wrong for her?
JT: Shannon Tan had a challenging final round. She failed to make any birdies on the first nine holes, which allowed other players to overtake her. Her eventual third-place finish showed that while she had a strong start, maintaining that momentum proved challenging. It’s a common challenge in golf, where every hole counts.
Nuria Iturrioz’s Early Lead
SE: Nuria Iturrioz started brightly with four consecutive birdies. What can you tell us about her performance and why she dropped out of the running?
JT: Nuria Iturrioz had a fantastic start, taking the lead with her birdie streak. However,she faced a tough back nine,dropping out of the running after four bogeys. This illustrates the importance of consistency throughout the entire round. Golfers need to maintain their focus and strategy to avoid such setbacks.
Conclusion
SE: Cara Gainer’s victory at the lalla Meryem Cup was a memorable one. What are the key takeaways from this tournament?
JT: The Lalla Meryem Cup highlighted the competitive nature of the Ladies European Tour. Cara Gainer’s win showed the importance of perseverance and seizing opportunities. The performances of players like lauren Walsh, Nuria Iturrioz, and others underscored the depth of talent on the tour.Shannon Tan’s experience serves as a reminder that every round is crucial in professional golf.
Thank you, Jane Thompson, for your insightful analysis of the Lalla Meryem Cup and cara Gainer’s historic win.