Cara Gainer Claims Historic Victory at Lalla Meryem Cup in Thrilling Play-Off

England's Cara Gainer emerged victorious in a nail-biting play-off at the Lalla Meryem Cup, marking her first-ever triumph on the Ladies European Tour. The 29-year-old golfer showcased her resilience and skill, defeating India's Diksha Dagar to clinch the prestigious title in Morocco.

Gainer's final round score of four-under 69 was matched by Dagar's impressive six-under 67, leaving both players tied at nine under overall. The play-off hole proved decisive as Dagar's bogey opened the door for Gainer, who seized the opportunity with a crucial birdie to secure the win.

Ireland's Lauren Walsh and Spain's Nuria Iturrioz finished joint-fourth at seven under, while England's Annabell Fuller and France's Nastasia Nadaud ended their campaigns at six under.

The final round was filled with drama and shifting leaderboards. Shannon Tan from Singapore, the overnight leader, struggled to maintain her position, failing to make any birdies in the first nine holes. This allowed the chasing pack to close the gap, with Tan eventually finishing in third place.

Iturrioz had a bright start with four consecutive birdies, taking an early lead. However, her momentum was disrupted by four bogeys on the back nine, leading to her eventual drop out of contention.

Gainer's victory is a testament to her perseverance and determination, as this win comes in her 76th tournament on the Ladies European Tour. Her previous best result was second place at the Belgian Ladies Open in 2022, making this triumph a significant milestone in her career.