The day after Søren Kjeldsen became the first Dane to win the Volvo Masters and Robert Karlsson the first Swede to claim the European Tour Order of Merit, history was made for the third time in the space of 24 hours at Valderrama when Argentinean Maria Paz Toranzo Aldunate became the first woman to win the Volvo Masters Amateur title.
The 17-handicapper, from Buenos Aires added an excellent 31 Stableford points at Valderrama to her already impressive 38 from La Quinta to take the title with a total of 69 points, two ahead of Canadian Joe Turcotte with Chinese golfer Hou Bo coming third on countback.
"Once I knew I had qualified for the world final, I took some special lessons, and it has paid off," said the mother of four, adding, "I would like to dedicate this victory to my family and everyone who have been so kind and helpful."
She promised, "I think we may have a celebration on the flight back home and I'll certainly be trying my best to qualify again next year to defend my title."
Commented Tournament Director Derwynne Honan, "Given the scale of the challenge, wet and cold conditions for the first round and Valderrama in Volvo Masters set-up, I think the scoring has been remarkable, and for Maria to take the title is the most meritorious achievement in the history of the Volvo Masters Amateur.
72 players from 25 countries qualified for the 2008 Volvo Masters World Final out of almost 80,000 golfers who set out on the road to Valderrama in April this year.
For more information, please contact:
Sofie Van Reusel - Project Manager Volvo Masters Amateur
Volvo Event Management
Tel: +32 482 56 86
E-mail: sofie.van.reusel@volvo.com
