Rocío Sánchez has won the first women's qualifying event of the 2009 amateur season, held at the Villaitana Wellness Golf course in Alicante. The golfer from Málaga, who boasts an impressive record despite her young age, notably her titles as Spanish Champion in the Under-10 category in 2003, Under-12 in 2004 and 2005, and Under-14 in 2006, confirms her rise within the elite of Spanish women's golf.

Rocío Sánchez accumulated 215 strokes over the three days of competition, during which she maintained a close battle with Ana Fernández de Mesa and María Hernández, who finished second and third, respectively. The outstanding performance of the golfer from Málaga on the second day, when she carded a 68, proved decisive in the outcome of this tournament, which saw Ana Fernández de Mesa from Cádiz take the early lead.

Although Rocío Sánchez's lead was far from decisive with 18 holes to go, the National Golf School player bravely defended that small advantage on a day marked by extremely strong winds that at times nearly forced a suspension of play. The resulting discomfort significantly impacted the scores of all the players, which were noticeably higher than in previous rounds.

Both Rocío Sánchez and Ana Fernández de Mesa, Under-18 players, have accumulated the highest number of points in this event which, together with the Spanish Women's International held at the RCG Las Palmas at the end of February, the Spanish Junior International held in Montanyá at the beginning of May and the Spanish Individual Championship at the Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro at the end of May, counts towards the National Under-18 Women's Ranking, which regulates the selection of players who will take part in the European Championship of this category next summer.

FINAL CLASSIFICATION
1.- Rocío Sánchez 215 (71+68+76)
2.- Ana Fernández de Mesa 218 (69+73+76)
3.- María Hernández 220 (71+70+79)
4.- Mandy Goyos 223 (76+71+76)
5.- Nerea Salavería 225 (76+73+76)
+.- Inés Díaz Negrete 225 (75+73+77)

Full results