Smilla Tarning Soenderby won the KPMG Women’s Irish Open at Dromoland Castle on Sunday. The Dane went into the final round tied for 21st, nine shots off the lead.
However, she had the round of her life - shooting 10-under - and claimed victory after a playoff involving Sweden's Lisa Petterson and Anne van Dam of the Netherlands.
As Van Dam - who had taken a three-shot lead into the final day - made her way to the 18th tee for the playoff in a golf cart driven by a tournament official, there was a mishap with her driver.
Anne van Dam's driver breaks at Irish Open
"She's absolutely fuming!" 😠
Anne van Dam's club SNAPS after her driver goes under a rope on the 18th! pic.twitter.com/Sa0mAY2eNv— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 3, 2023
The 27-year-old lifted a gallery rope to allow the cart pass under, but released it too early and it caught her driver, snapping the shaft.
"You had one job, to get me to the tee," Van Dam said.
Former LET pro Sophie Walker explained on Sky Sports: "They can get a replacement, but good luck in finding the shaft. She's not going to find the shaft to fit that driver. She is absolutely fuming."
3 September 2023; Anne van Dam of Netherlands, left, during day four of the KPMG Women's Irish Open Golf Championship at Dromoland Castle in Clare. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Soenderby won the playoff thanks to an eagle on the 18th.
For Van Dam, it was the second time in a week that she'd had misfortune with her driver.
"My driver shaft cracked on the flight on the way out here, but Callaway managed to get it here right before my tee time," she explained.
"It’s always tricky putting in a new shaft but today I was hitting it really well.
"I’m super thankful because a driver on this course is a big favour. I can carry a lot of the bunkers and be more aggressive on the par-fives."
What an approach from Vam Dam 👏#RaiseOurGame | #WIO2023 pic.twitter.com/E89iNjDw7J
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 3, 2023
