Ponte 16th in quality field

AIMEE PONTE finished tied 16th yesterday after a terrific showing in the English Women's Amateur Championship.

Although the Channel Islands champion slipped back over the concluding 36 holes at King's Norton on the third and final day of the 72-hole event, she can still be proud of her efforts in a tournament which attracted a high-class field of 73.

Ponte had been tied for fifth at the halfway stage, making the top-32 cut with ease after rounds of 74 and 76 on the first two days, beating the competition scratch score on both occasions in testing conditions.

However, her third round got off to a troublesome start as she bogeyed six of the opening seven holes with the only respite coming at the par five fifth.