Ana Fernández de Mesa, from Cádiz, finished in third place at the Finnish International Championship held at Tali Golf Club in Helsinki. The Spanish delegation, which also included Gerard Piris, Sebastián García, and Mandy Goyos, capped off a remarkable overall performance.
The Andalusian golfer, fresh from a runner-up finish at the Grand Prix de Landes, was looking to repeat her victory in a top-level continental tournament after her first win in 2008 at the Belgian Junior Women's International, but she couldn't seal the deal in the final holes. With Finland's Linda Henriksson already in the clubhouse, Ana Fernández de Mesa took risks, but couldn't manage better than 74 (+3). In the end, the Finnish player secured the win by one stroke over her compatriot Elina Nummempaa and two over the Spaniard.
For their part, Gerard Piris and Sebastián García had a good final round and climbed to seventh position with rounds of 69 (-2) and 71 (par) strokes, respectively.
On the second day, Ana Fernández de Mesa confirmed her serious contender status with a round of 74 (+3). She climbed to second place on the crucial cut day. Mandy Goyos missed the cut by just one stroke, preventing a clean sweep for Spain in Finland. Meanwhile, Sebastián García and Gerard Piris confirmed their high aspirations with rounds of 68 (-3) and 71 (par), respectively.
On the first day, three of our players placed high in their respective rankings. Gerard Piris, with 71 strokes (par), and Sebastián García (72, +1) showed they are contenders in the men's competition; Ana Fernández de Mesa, also with 72 strokes, finished fourth among the women.
To date, Spain has achieved five victories on Finnish soil, three in the women's category and two in the men's. Mireia Prat's titles are joined by one from Emma Cabrera-Bello and, previously, by those of Álvaro Prat and Francisco de Pablo in the men's event.
MEN'S COMPETITION
1.-Joachim Hansen (DEN) -7 (67+72+67)
7.- Sebastián García (SPA) -2 (72+68+71)
+.- Gerard Piris (SPA) -2 (71+71+69)
WOMEN'S COMPETITION
1.- Linda Henriksson (FIN) +5 (71 72 75)
3.- Ana Fernández de Mesa (SPA) +7 (72+74+74)
