Young star Roussin sees off two of the world's best in Kang and Ko
Young star Roussin sees off two of the world's best in Kang and Ko
- Pauline Roussin shoots stunning final day 64 to take Aramco Team Series presented by Public Investment Fund – Singapore individual title -
Young French star Pauline Roussin shot an outstanding 64, including five birdies in six holes around the turn, to claim a second Ladies European Tour title at the Aramco Team Series presented by Public Investment Fund – Singapore.
The 22-year-old’s round featured three other birdies and no blemishes as she was in imperious form, beating off competition from two of the world’s best in Lydia Ko and Danielle Kang to lift the trophy.
Ko had an excellent final day firing a 66, including seven birdies, but left herself too much to do, while Kang was left to rue a costly bogey on 13 which stalled her momentum, and neither could match the brilliance of Roussin at Laguna National Golf Resort Club.
The Aramco Team Series ambassador, whose only previous Ladies European Tour win came at the Didriksons Skafto Open in 2021, was delighted to clinch a victory so early in her 2023 season as she looks to compete on both the LET and LPGA once again.
She said: “It was pretty special! I think I was in a different zone than what I have been in before. Today was more chill, really having fun and spending time with my boyfriend on the bag.
“I didn't realize I was making that many birdies. It was just happening. I had in my mind the phrase that my coach said before the round, like don't get frustrated if you don't make every single putt.
“I think it was key today to be patient and just wait for them to drop. I was really focused on that and focusing on laughing and having fun with my boyfriend.
“I only realized what was really happening on the 18th tee box. We were waiting and I was like, oh, my gosh!”
It’s no mean feat to see off two of the game’s best ever players in Ko and Kang and Roussin was aware of their position in the standings.
“I definitely saw them, and I knew they were there. I think the fact that I know what they're capable of, and mainly because I've been playing around them for the last year, it allowed me to like just be aware of it,” she added.
“Then I talked with many different people and we were just like, stay in the bubble and do you, be you. Don't pay attention to what people think. Just, yeah, do your own thing.”
The Solheim Cup returns in September at Finca Cortesin and Roussin will hope that history will repeat itself and she will get one over Kang again, if she is to play.
The 22-year-old has the competition firmly in her sights and commented: “It's in my mind for sure. What I like to say is it's here, I know it's here, and it's just going to be a reward for all the hard work that's been happening during the year.
“It's not like I'm going to put pressure on myself by thinking about it, but I'm just going to use it as a big motivation towards every single tournament. It's just going to stay just on the side of my mind.”
The Aramco Team Series will head for West Palm Beach in Florida next with the tournament taking place on 19-21 May