Oliver secures WPGA One Day Series title

Joanne Oliver claimed overall victory in the WPGA One Day Series with a second place finish in the final event at Forest Pines Golf Club.

She finished two shots behind Alexandra Keighley at the Lincolnshire-based course to top the Order of Merit, which was played over seven rounds throughout the year.

Knebworth’s Oliver (pictured above), who won the previous round at South Herts, was delighted with her victory, admitting that she took a European Tour style approach to this year's tournament.

She explained: "I've always been someone who prepares a lot for events, I don't mind that, but sometimes it's a question of finding the time.

"I spent 15 years on the Tour, but even before that one my biggest criticisms as an amateur international was that I was 'too professional'.

"But I adopted a Tour style mentality to the One Day Series; I set myself goals at the start of the year and made sure I could play in all seven events.

"I was gunning for the Order of Merit all year so I'm really chuffed to have done it.

"I felt that I had to justify my commitment to this competition by trying to win every event I entered and the series as a whole."

"It didn't always go to plan, but at Forest Pines I managed to birdie the 18th and that put me into second place on my own which proved to be quite significant.

Keighley’s victory was her second in two appearances this year, and she was delighted to finish the series with a 100 per cent record.

The Huddersfield-based golfer (pictured) carded a level-par round of 74 in another convincing performance, but she admitted that her impact on the One Day Series this year has been minimal.

She explained: “That’s two wins in this competition this season – and I’ve only played in two events.

“As well as Forest Pines, I also won at Dunham Forest, but those are venues that I can get to and back again in a day - the other events are too far for me to travel to.

“It’s not really possible for me to play those, but I’m pleased to have a two wins out of two record.

“Perhaps I could have done more had I played in other events, but they were never on the calendar for me.”

The 2012 Women's PGA Professional Champion admitted that she has been happy with her golf this year.

She added: “I’ve been pleased with the way I’ve played, I’ve done nicely.

“It was very windy at Forest Pines which affected the scores. I was two over par at the 11th hole but managed to get a couple of birdies on the way in and that made the difference."