Oliver victory sets up title challenge

Knebworth’s Joanne Oliver has rocked the chase for this year’s WPGA One Day Series after finally clinching her first win of the summer.

Oliver, who turned 40 earlier this month, secured a two-shot victory in the sixth event of the seven one-day series at South Herts Golf Club to climb to second in the Order of Merit standings.

A four-under-par 70 secured the win over Order of Merit leader Suzanne Dickens, who was the only other player under par with a 72, to set up a showdown for the title at Forest Pines on August 15.

Oliver spread six birdies over her card with gains at the third, sixth, seventh, ninth, 11th and 15th, with bogeys at the third and 13th.

She has played consistent golf all season but the win had eluded Oliver having previously secured four top six finishes, including being second twice.

The result has also guaranteed her one of 20 WPGA places available in the Ladies European Tour Access Series event at Stoke By Nayland in September.

Oliver, who spent 15 years playing on the Ladies European Tour, said: “I’ve been knocking on the door but my putting has improved since having a new putter in my bag a couple of months ago.

“I changed all my equipment as my clubs were quite old and now I’ve a new set of irons and wedges, which have given me more confidence as I am getting a better reaction from them and on the greens.

“It’s taken two to three weeks to bed them in and get the right feel for them.

“Today I played pretty solid with them and it was nice to finally get the win as I have been gunning for it and desperate to get a win this season.

“It has made the final event at Forest Pines more interesting, while I also wanted to make sure I got my place in the LETAS event in September.”

Dickens (Nene Park) began strongly with three birdies in her opening five holes, netted another at the ninth but that was sandwiched in between bogeys at the eighth and 11th. She parred the final seven holes.

Third place, at two-over-par, was shared between Marie Allen (Motocaddy Limited), Sophie Daws (Pentland Golf) and Charlotte Hope (Marriott Forest of Arden).