Birdie run by England's Hewson in vain in Mauritius

TL;DR

Alice Hewson made four birdies on the back nine but finished second at the MCB Ladies Classic in Mauritius. Smilla Soenderby won the title with a final score of 11-under-par.

Key points

Alice Hewson made four birdies on the back nine
Hewson finished with a score of 10-under-par
Smilla Soenderby won the title by one stroke
The event was held at Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius
Soenderby birdied the 18th hole to secure victory

Mentioned in this story

Belle Mare PlageMauritius

Alice HewsonSmilla SoenderbyMCB Ladies Classic

Hewson won LET titles in the 2020, 2024 and 2025 seasons [Getty Images]

England's Alice Hewson made four birdies in eight holes on the back nine of the MCB Ladies Classic final round but her late charge was in vain as Smilla Soenderby claimed the title at Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius.

The 28-year-old's back nine of 32 gave her a closing 67 and got her to 10-under-par for the Ladies European Tour (LET) event - but the two final groups held their nerve and it was Soenderby who claimed the title.

The Dane birdied the 18th to thrillingly claim the inaugural MCB Ladies Classic by one stroke from Kajsa Arwefjall and Casandra Alexander.

Soenderby, 25, began her final round poorly, dropping a shot at the par-5 4th - but bounced back with an eagle three at another par 5 two holes later and picked up a further stroke at the 9th.

She birdied 10, 13 and 15 but gave one back to the field at 14 before making the decisive birdie on the risk-reward par-5 18th to card a 67 that got her to 14 under and ended Arwefjall and Alexander's hopes of a play-off.

"Thank you to my mum who has been with me as my caddy this week. It has been so special and we will remember it forever," said Soenderby, whose previous win on the Ladies European Tour was at the 2023 KPMG Women's Irish Open.

"It has been an amazing event and I hope we come back! I really enjoyed the Legend course and I'm so happy with this win."

Sweden's Arwefjall made six birdies and avoided any dropped shots in her closing 66, which set a stiff clubhouse target of 13 under.

Alexander, of South Africa, meanwhile, eagled the last to match Arwefjall - an aptly thrilling end to a rollercoaster round of 67 that also included six birdies but also a double bogey and two bogeys.

Hewson, from Hertfordshire, dropped a shot at the 5th but also made two other birdies on the front nine as she finished in a five-way tie for fifth.

The two-time Curtis Cup player - who has three LET wins in her career, including two in Switzerland - was part of a strong English showing in Mauritius.