Gwladys Nocera, winner of the Lalla Meryem Cup Photo: Didier Chicot

Gwladys Nocera from France birdied the last hole for a final round of two-under-par 71 to win the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco on 27th October.

The 32-year-old four-time Ladies European Tour champion took the title with a total score of 209 (-10) on the Blue course at the Royal Golf Club of Dar es-Salam.

It was Nocera’s fifth professional victory in total and her second of the season after she also won the KLM Ladies Open in the Netherlands in June.

“I am very proud to have won this tournament and to have responded to those who said I was the favourite,“ said Nocera, who finished four strokes clear of Spain’s Paula Marti.

Nocera, a two-time Solheim Cup player, had to wait until the 11th hole for her first birdie of the final round. “It felt different from the other days after having played in the pro am, as on the third day we were playing with the other female professionals. I knew that Paula Marti Zambrano or Virginie Lagoutte-Clement were capable of posting a very good score. I tried not to make any errors and to remain consistent throughout the day.

“I lost my concentration a little and I made a stupid bogey at the eighth hole. Then I made a good birdie at the 11th which brought me back.” Nocera was delighted to receive a cheque for US$28 000 and a small hand bag encrusted with diamonds. Nocera, the French no.1 concluded with a great smile : “To win the Lalla Meryem Cup represents many things”.

Nocera with Prince Moulay Rachid at the gala dinner

25-27 October 2007
Lalla Meryem Cup
Royal Golf Dar es-Salam, Rabat, Morocco
1. Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 70 68 71 = 209
2. Paula Marti Zambrano (ESP) 72 70 74 = 216
3. Johanna Westerberg (SWE) 76 70 71 = 217
4. Anna Rawson (AUS) 73 72 73 = 218
5. Lotta Wahlin (SWE) 74 70 74 = 218
6. Georgina Simpson (ENG) 73 75 71 = 219
7. Nikki Garrett (AUS) 78 69 75 = 222
8. Patricia Meunier-Lebouc (FRA) 73 76 74 = 223
9. Virginie Lagoutte-Clément (FRA) 72 72 79 = 223
10. Mounya Amalou Sayeh (MOR) 73 81 74 = 228
11. Bettina Hauert (GER) 74 78 80 = 232
12. Sophie Sandolo (ITA) 79 76 retired
Winner’s prize money : 28 000 $



* The Lalla Meryem Cup is the women’s tournament at the Hassan II Trophy. It was founded in 1993 and Sophie Sandolo was defending champion at this year’s tournament.