Thomson takes ‘a lot of positives’ from her career-best effort on LET

Michele Thomson was disappointed but definitely not disheartened after being pipped for the title by Frenchwoman Camille Chevalier in the Hero Women’s Indian Open.

The 29-year-old Aberdonian led by three shots heading into the final round after her course-record 64 on Saturday and had stretched that advantage to five with 11 holes to play.

But her hopes of landing a maiden victory on the Ladies European Tour came unstuck on the back nine of the tough Black Knight Course at DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon.

Thomson, pictured, covered that stretch in three-over while, in contrast, Chevalier stormed home in 31, fiveunder-par, to pip the Scot.

The pair were tied on 11-under heading to the last, where Chevalier, a 23-yearold from Aix-en-provence, clinched victory in style with her fifth birdie in eight holes.

Despite falling just short in her bid to become the first Scot to win on the circuit in more than three years, it was still a great week’s work by Thomson. For starters, the former Curtis Cup player comfortably beat her previous best performance, which was finishing 14th in the ABN Amro Ladies Open in 2009 – her rookie season. This effort also earned her around £27,000, climbing to 26th on the money list and on course to finish the year as top Scot. “Yes,” replied Thomson to being asked if she felt disappointed about the outcome, “but I will take back a lot of positives away and will try and go one better next time. I had a great start again today and was trying to make the same score [as Saturday] but the putter went cold on the back nine.

“I also made a couple of mistakes, but you can’t take anything away from Camille as she was awesome and congratulations to her.”

Kylie Henry, the only other Scot to make the cut, finished 62nd after a closing 84 that well and truly undid her earlier good work.