An unfortunate turn of events may have contributed to Anne Van Dam’s demise at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, which wrapped up on Sunday.
While heading to the first playoff hole via cart, Van Dam and a Ladies European Tour official tried to get under a rope, but it caught her driver and snapped it immediately as the bag was forced to the ground. Van Dam was set to square off with Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby and Sweden’s Lisa Pettersson in the playoff after all three finished at 16 under for the tournament.
Unfortunately, this was Van Dam’s backup driver as her main driver was damaged during a flight to Ireland.
Wow how unfortunate is this and I’m lost for words @Annevandam driver snapped heading back to the 18th @GolfDromoland for playoff @LETgolf
@KPMG pic.twitter.com/CR2klQY2JW
— David Foley PGA (@davidjfoley) September 3, 2023
Since she couldn’t get a replacement, Van Dam hit 3-wood on the first playoff hole, and although she got home in two on the par-5, she missed an eagle putt. Meanwhile, Soenderby knocked her approach to 12 feet and dropped her putt to take her first title.
Van Dam has five wins on the LET, but hasn’t found the winner’s circle since the Spanish Women’s Open in 2019.