LET rookie Kaisa Ruuttila

(Pretoria, SA – 2nd March 2007) – Finland’s Kaisa Ruuttila claimed a victory in only her second tournament as a professional and while on a short holiday away from her studies when she won the WPGA Masters at Waterkloof Golf Club on Friday, on the Ladies African Tour.

The 23-year-old Ruuttila produced a final round of 69 to win on seven under par and three strokes clear of Julie Tvede.

Ruuttila started the final round two behind overnight leader Tvede, but worked her way into a three-stroke lead with four holes to come.

But a three-putt for bogey on the short 15th and Tvede’s birdie there saw her suddenly fighting to protect a one-stroke lead.
She missed a three-footer for birdie on the 16th, but then finished strong with birdies at holes 17 and 18 to take the title.

“I am very happy to have won so early in my career,” said Ruuttila, who only turned professional last November. She attended the Ladies European Tour’s Qualifying School and finished 29th, just outside the top 28 who gain full playing privileges on the Tour, but it will qualify her for a certain number of tournaments.

“I am going back to Finland now to resume my studies as a sports instructor, and then I’m hoping to join the Ladies European Tour in May where I should get quite a few starts,” said Ruuttila.

Tvede finished second on her own at four under with a closing 74.
Lee-Anne Pace bogeyed the last but still finished as the leading South African professional on one under with a closing 73.

Amateurs Kelli Shean and Ashleigh Simon also finished at one under with respective rounds of 72 and 71.Stacy Bregman closed with a 74 to finish tied 17th on two over par.