Eleanor Givens, the 37‑year‑old English professional, finally broke through on the Ladies European Tour by clinching her inaugural title at the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open in Zug. It took her 210 attempts to secure the win, and she did so with a one‑stroke margin that underscored both her perseverance and skill. On the tournament’s final day, Givens posted an impressive five‑under‑par 66, which propelled her back into the lead at 17 under for the championship.
That round featured her fifth birdie of the day, and she finished the round with a steady par on the 18th hole, sealing the victory. Her composure throughout the round was evident, especially after a relatively calm start that contrasted sharply with the tension many expected. The runner‑up position was a three‑way tie, with Alexandra Forsterling, Ireland’s Anna Foster, and Australia’s Whitney Hillier each finishing at 12 under.
Forsterling’s round was particularly memorable because her tee shot lodged itself in a tree, forcing her to execute a remarkable chip‑in that saved par on the 14th hole. The incident added a dramatic subplot to an already exciting final day. Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjaell, who entered the final round holding a three‑stroke lead, ultimately fell to fifth place with a one‑over‑par 72. Her closing round was marred by three dropped shots in the first ten holes, which proved costly despite an otherwise solid performance that left her at 11 under for the tournament.
When asked about her breakthrough, Givens described the triumph as "life‑changing" and admitted she was still processing the achievement. "I can’t believe it! I’m thrilled and incredibly proud of myself," she said.
"I was a little shocked, but I felt much calmer than I expected. I just thought, ‘Come on, let’s go for it.’" She also recounted a rough start to the weekend when her clubs arrived late, turning the situation into a sort of destiny that culminated in her victory. "My weekend began with a nightmare because my clubs were delayed, so it feels like fate that I managed to win this week. I took my chance," Givens reflected.
The Englishwoman admitted that she had seriously considered stepping away from competitive golf the previous year. "Last year I was questioning whether I wanted to keep playing.
I decided, ‘No, I’ve got this, I have the ability to compete.’ I’ve worked incredibly hard behind the scenes, and this trophy means a great deal to me," she explained. Givens emphasized that the win was not a fluke but the result of sustained effort. "It was my 210th try, but I always knew I had the capacity to win. This is truly my first real stint in contention.
Some players need more time than others. It’s amazing to have my name on this beautiful trophy," she added. Throughout the tournament, Givens displayed remarkable consistency.
She recorded just one bogey for the entire week, which occurred during her three‑under opening round. She followed that with a flawless five‑under performance on Friday, which included three consecutive birdies that helped solidify her position near the top of the leaderboard. Saturday saw her extend her lead further, with decisive shots on holes two, three, seven, and ten, and a crucial strike on the penultimate hole that ultimately secured her triumph. Her victory marked the third English win on the LET this season, joining Charley Hull, who captured the season‑opening PIF Saudi Ladies International in February, and Esme Hamilton, who earned her maiden title 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 start on Thursday, August 27. The previous year’s champion was England’s Lottie Woad, who won the tournament while still an amateur. Fans can watch the competition live on Sky Sports+ beginning at 2 p.m. on the opening day, with additional streaming options available through the NOW platform.
Beyond the tournament itself, the article also highlighted various ways golf enthusiasts can engage with the sport: from streaming contract‑free golf via NOW to listening to the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, and checking live golf schedules on Sky. It also promoted the ability to book tee times at more than 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland, encouraging readers to explore local courses and enjoy the game firsthand. Overall, Eleanor Givens’ victory is a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the belief that hard work eventually pays off. Her story resonates with anyone who has faced setbacks, reminding us that persistence can lead to breakthrough moments, even after 210 attempts.
The win not only elevates Givens in the LET Order of Merit—where she now sits 23rd—but also adds a compelling chapter to the narrative of women’s professional golf, showcasing the depth of talent and the dramatic twists that make the sport so captivating.