Eleanor Givens, representing England, finally broke through on the Ladies European Tour (LET) by clinching her inaugural title at the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open in Zug, Switzerland. The triumph came on her 210th attempt, and she secured the win by a single stroke, finishing at five‑under par with a round of 66 on the tournament's final day. The 37‑year‑old entered the final round trailing the leaders but produced a flawless front nine, carding five birdies without a single mistake.
Her steady play allowed her to reclaim the top spot at 17 under after a flawless fifth birdie on the back nine, before she safely parred the 18th hole to lock in the victory. A memorable moment from the event involved fellow competitor Alexandra Forsterling, who managed an impressive par on the 14th after her tee shot became lodged in a tree. Forsterling’s resilience earned her a share of second place, tied at 12 under alongside Ireland’s Anna Foster and Australia’s Whitney Hillier. Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjaell, who had entered the final round with a three‑stroke lead, faltered with a one‑over 72 that featured three dropped shots in the opening ten holes.
She ultimately finished fifth, two strokes behind the leaders, at 11 under. Givens described the win as "life‑changing," admitting she was both thrilled and a little shocked by the outcome.
"I can’t believe it! I’m so excited and really proud of myself. I’m a little bit in shock as well," she said.
She added that she felt unusually calm throughout the day, a stark contrast to the anxiety she expected. She reflected on the circumstances that led up to her victory, noting a chaotic start to the weekend when her clubs arrived late. "It felt like fate that I managed to win this week after such a nightmare start," Givens explained. "I just thought, ‘come on, let’s go for this.’" Givens also revealed that she had recently questioned whether to continue playing professionally.
"Last year I was wondering if I still wanted to play. I decided, ‘no, I’ve got the ability to compete and I’ve worked really hard behind the scenes.’ This trophy means a lot to me," she said, emphasizing the emotional weight of the achievement. Her victory marked the 210th attempt she made to capture a LET title, a milestone she referred to as “luck,” though she insisted she always believed she possessed the skill to win.
"It was 210th time lucky, right? No, I always knew I could win. This is actually my first real time being in contention," she said, acknowledging that some players need more time to break through. The win also propelled Givens to 23rd on the LET Order of Merit, a significant rise after a week in which she posted just one bogey—in her three‑under opening round.
She followed that with a five‑under Friday, highlighted by three consecutive birdies that helped her maintain momentum. On Saturday, Givens added crucial strokes at holes two, three, seven, and ten, and she made a decisive putt on the penultimate hole that solidified her lead. Her performance made her the third Englishwoman to claim an LET title in 2026, joining Charley Hull, who won the season‑opening PIF Saudi Ladies International in February, and Esme Hamilton, who secured her maiden victory at the South African Women’s Open in April.
Looking ahead, the next event on the LET calendar is the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 27. The tournament was won last year by England’s Lottie Woad, who was still an amateur at the time. Fans can watch the event live on Sky Sports+ starting at 2 p.m., and the tournament will also be streamed through the NOW platform. The LET continues to expand its reach, offering fans multiple ways to follow the action, from traditional broadcast to online streaming.
In addition to live coverage, golf enthusiasts can explore the sport through podcasts such as the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, and can even book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland via online platforms. Givens’ breakthrough serves as a reminder that perseverance and belief in one’s abilities can eventually lead to success, even after many attempts.
Her story will likely inspire other players who are striving for that elusive first title on the professional circuit. The VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open will be remembered not only for Givens’ historic win but also for the dramatic moments that unfolded, including Forsterling’s tree‑bound ball and the intense competition among the leading contenders.
As the LET season progresses, all eyes will be on how Givens and her fellow competitors build on this momentum in the upcoming events.