Singapore: Pauline Roussin-Bouchard produced one of the finest closing rounds in Laguna National Golf Resort Club history to claim a second Ladies European Tour (LET) title at the Aramco Team Series presented by Public Investment Fund – Singapore.

The 22-year-old Frenchwoman snared eight birdies, including five in six holes around the turn, in a blemish-free 64 over Laguna National’s Masters Course to leave two of the world’s best players trailing in her wake.

Despite their best efforts, world number one Lydia Ko and Major champion Danielle Kang were unable to reel in Roussin-Bouchard, who appears destined to become a significant force in the women’s game.

Ko had an excellent final day herself, firing a 66, including seven birdies. She ended third on 12-under 206 – five strokes behind Roussin-Bouchard.

Kang holed a 10-foot birdie putt on the final green to sign for a 68 and a three-day aggregate of 205 to take runners-up spot. She was left to rue a costly bogey on 13 which stalled her momentum.

But the day belonged to Roussin-Bouchard, an Aramco Team Series ambassador, whose only previous LET win came at the Didriksons Skaftö Open in 2021.

She was delighted to clinch a victory so early in her 2023 season as she looks to compete on both the LET and LPGA Tour once again.

She said: “It was pretty special! I think I was in a different zone than what I have been in before. Today was more chill, really having fun and spending time with my boyfriend on the bag.

“I didn’t realise I was making that many birdies. It was just happening. I had in my mind the phrase that my coach said before the round: ‘Don’t get frustrated if you don’t make every single putt.’

“I think it was key to be patient and just wait for them to drop. I was really focused on that and focusing on laughing and having fun with my boyfriend.

“I only realised what was really happening on the 18th tee box. We were waiting and I was like: Oh, my gosh!”

It’s no mean feat to successfully take on two of golf’s best players, Ko and Kang, and Roussin-Bouchard was aware of their position in the standings.

She said: “I definitely saw them, and I knew they were there. I think the fact that I know what they’re capable of, and mainly because I’ve been playing around them for the last year, allowed me to just be aware of it.

“Then I talked with many different people, my boyfriend included, and we were just like: ‘Stay in the bubble and be you. Don’t pay attention to what people think. Just do your own thing’.”

The Solheim Cup returns in September at Finca Cortesin and Roussin-Bouchard will hope that history will repeat itself and she will get one over Kang again, if she is to play.

She has the competition firmly in her sights. “It’s in my mind for sure. What I would like to say is that I know it’s here, and it’s just going to be a reward for all the hard work that’s been happening during the year.

“It’s not like I’m going to put pressure on myself by thinking about it, but I’m just going to use it as a big motivation towards every single tournament. It’s just going to stay on the side of my mind.”

Laguna National Golf Resort Club is a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.