Georgia Oboh, Nigeria’s sensational UK-based lady golfer is is not leaving anyone in doubt on her push to make a mark in her chosen career in the international level.
This is epitomised by her recent performances which soared by every event at the Ladies European Tour (LET) 2021 season, just as she is also impressing at the moment in the on-going LET 2022 season Qualifying School at La Manga, Spain.
Interestingly, Mr Geoffrey Oboh, Georgia’s caddy and father graphically analysed the Q-School proceeding for SOKOnnect on Monday December 13 for the event which wraps off December 20.
However, Lisa Pattersson of Sweden having led from the start ended the Pre-Qualifying at the 2022 LET Q-School at the top of the standings on nine-under-par.
The 26-year-old produced rounds of 67 (-4), 70 (-3), 69 (-2) and 73 (E) to finish one shot ahead of Nigeria’s 20-year-old Georgia Iziemgbe Oboh who produced rounds of 75(+2),69(-2),70(-3)and 66(-5) at La Manga Club.
With one week down, Pettersson heads into the Final Stage with a confidence boost and is hoping to rest over the coming days.
In second place on eight-under-par was Nigeria’s Oboh who carded the round of the day, a bogey-free 66 (-5) on the North Course.
Commenting on this impressive performance she enthused, “The conditions today were great as it was sunny and there wasn’t a lot of wind. It is always great to be bogey-free.”
“It has all been coming together to be honest. I didn’t do anything that special today but again I think I played smart and took advantage of holes when I could and made a few good putts.
“I have been getting used to the courses this year and the conditions. Also, just knowing where the misses are here is a really big thing. My swing has just been in great shape. Everything has fallen into place today and it was my LET career-best score. I’m grateful that I was able to pull it off,” elated Georgia explained
Build up to the event Mr Oboh revealed, “We arrived in La Manga, Spain for the Ladies European Tour (LET) qualifying school 2021 for the 2022 season on the 17th of November exactly three weeks before the commencement of the pre-qualifier. The training went well, and Georgia was ready both physically and mentally.”
“During the first round on the South course which is a par 73 course and the most challenging of the two courses, we were the last group out so got the afternoon gusting winds.
Georgia finished +2 (75), tied 31st after day 1. Made 29 putts. 11 greens in regulation.
“On the second day, playing the North course , Georgia finished -2 (69)for a total score of even par after Day-2.
She executed 30 putts in total, 14 greens in regulation with a 3 putts double bogey the only blemish on her scorecard
Day-3 was back on the South course, Georgia started with a 3 putts bogey on hole 1, which was the only bogey on her scorecard making 4 birdies and finishing -3(70).
Georgia with 32 putts, 16 greens in regulation, with a total tournament score of -3 finished tied for 5th going into the final round.
“With the course rotation on the final day, Georgia was playing the North course; going into the final round she was six shots behind the leader Lisa Pettersson of Sweden and three shots behind her playing partners in the final group on the North Course, Olivia Mehaffey, from Northern Ireland and one shot behind Camilla Hedberg from Spain,” he narrated.
Invariably, “Georgia started well with a birdie on Hole 1 and was in control of herself and her game was steady; she picked up two more birdies on the front nine to finish -3(32). She started the back nine with a birdie on hole 10. Her test on the final stretch came as she missed the greens on Holes 12, 13 & 14, but successfully completed up and down on the three consecutive holes to par each hole to retain her blemish free card.
“Georgia had three consecutive birdies chances on holes 15, 16 & 17, but couldn’t convert them.
“On the final Hole, Georgia was second place, only one shot behind the leader Lisa Pettersson and one shot above her playing partner Olivia Mehaffey in third position.
“The final hole is a par 4, 417 yards, but with a large ditch about 270 yards from the tee box. Georgia opted for a 16.5 degrees 4 wood off the tee. This gave her about 193 yards
with a 19 degrees fairway wood she produced the shot of the tournament.
“Her ball finished 18 inches from the flag finishing with a birdie and tied for the lead in the club house; at that time the leader had two more hole to play; Lisa birdied her final hole the par 5, 18th on the south course to finish even par for the day and -9 to beat Georgia’s -8 for the tournament (-5 for the day) by one shot,” certainly fantastic!
Incredibly, Georgia had 27 putts, 15 greens in regulation, no drop shot, best round of the final day of the 150 players, brilliant golf.
Georgia now moves ahead to the final stage of the Ladies European Tour qualifying for the 2022 season.
Georgia also took part in the one day Pro-Am on Monday as one of the top 20 finishers in the pre qualifying and will start the finals on Thursday December 16-20, 2021 with the confidence to have a great tournament thriving off the momentum of the previous week.
