Quality field
However, there was to be no win for Pancake on her first-ever visit to the UK as Horder become the third player to win The Women’s Amateur at Prince’s. Joyce Wethered earned the first of her four victories in 1922 and American Carol Sorenson triumphed in 1964.
From a record 232 entries, Prince’s welcomed a world-class field of 144 players representing 36 countries, including 12 players ranked inside the top-50 on the WAGR, with Horder coming out on top after a wonderful week of golf on the Kent coast.
In the morning session, Horder made a fast start. After Pancake’s bogey at the 1st, Horder made birdies at the opening two par-3 holes, the 3rd and 5th, to go three up and maintain the lead after eight holes. In the softer conditions after overnight rain, Pancake, placed 123rd on WAGR, made a timely birdie at the 9th to reduce the deficit and receive a warm hug from her father who had just arrived after his travels.
Nevertheless, a double bogey at the 10th from Pancake after a poor drive and a third birdie two of the morning from Horder on the 11th, following more accurate iron play, extended the lead to four holes. The American again claimed one back with a birdie at the long 12th before the highlight of the morning came at the 13th when Horder holed a brilliant 40-yard chip to the delight of the large crowd.
Afternoon surge
Pancake once more replied with a birdie at the 15th only for Horder to drive the green at the par-4 16th and restore a four-up lead. Pancake’s third birdie of the back nine gave her hope going into the afternoon action, but Horder was in command at three-up after playing 18 holes in four-under-par.
In the afternoon, a combination of Horder’s excellent play and difficulties for Pancake saw the German claim the title.
Horder birdied the par-5 20th and again the short 21st for a five-hole lead before a number of troubles for Pancake which saw her make costly bogeys at the 22nd and 23rd. A seven-hole lead soon became eight after another bogey from the American at the 25th. Pancake’s first birdie of the afternoon at the 26th reduced the deficit and another came at the 29th to cut the lead to six, but another excellent iron shot from Horder at the par-5 30th sealed the victory.
“We've played so many rounds the last couple days,” said Holder. “It's been like 11 rounds, and then playing close to 36 today, it was exhausting. But I stayed in it and I enjoyed it. After the morning break, I just tried to get back in again, collect my energy and just stay in there. I hit my fairways and greens and gave myself opportunities so that was good.”