Spanish rookie Chacarra wins Hulencourt Women's Open
Spain's Carolina Chacarra fires flawless final-round 68 to secure dominant three-shot victory and entry into European majors
Korea - Spanish rookie Carolina Chacarra secured her maiden Ladies European Tour title in just her third professional start after producing a brilliant final-round performance to win the Hulencourt Women’s Open on Sunday. The 23-year-old began the final day in Belgium trailing Australia’s Kelsey Bennett by two strokes, but she carded a bogey-free four-under-par 68 to lift the trophy with a winning total of 12-under par. Chacarra capitalised on early mistakes from her playing partner on the front nine before pulling away with a world-class birdie on the par-five 13th to establish a comfortable cushion. The milestone breakthrough makes her the first rookie winner of the 2026 European season and completes a historic family double following her older brother Eugenio’s consecutive victories on the DP World Tour last month.
“The day went great and I’m so happy, my goal was just to enjoy the week and try to get into the Scottish Open,” said Chacarra, who held her nerve over the daunting closing stretch with a clutch birdie on the par-three 17th to completely rebuff a late charge from Bennett. “My brother is my inspiration and to see him win gave me lots of momentum to keep going and try to win myself. It definitely changes my calendar but it’s always great to play a Major, I’m very excited and can’t wait to be there.” The lucrative victory officially exempts the young Spaniard into both the upcoming ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and the prestigious AIG Women’s Open.
The final-round duel saw Bennett struggle to replicate her earlier form, signing for a one-over-par 73 to settle for solo second place on nine-under par after dropping costly shots into the thick fescue on the back nine. India’s Aditi Ashok claimed solo third on seven-under par after a closing 70, using the Belgian showcase as ideal preparation ahead of her appearance at the fourth major championship of the season next week. Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux and England’s Bronte Law shared fourth position a further three strokes back, while England’s Hannah Screen surged into solo sixth following a spectacular six-under-par 66 with her father acting as her caddie.
The breakthrough performance heavily impacts the season-long standings, elevating Chacarra into second place in the Rookie of the Year race behind America’s Anna Morgan and propelling her to 24th in the overall European rankings. Despite finishing tied for seventh this week alongside South Africa’s Nadia van der Westhuizen and Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley, last week’s champion Noora Komulainen remains one of the tour’s most inform players alongside order of merit leader Casandra Alexander. Meanwhile, Bennett’s runner-up finish consolidates her third-place standing on 1,432.75 points, closely trailing France’s Agathe Laisne in second.
The elite women’s circuit now transitions directly to the magnificent Evian Resort in France for the highly anticipated staging of The Amundi Evian Championship. The tournament, which represents the fourth major championship of the calendar year, is scheduled to get underway on Thursday July 9 at the picturesque foot of the French Alps. Armed with maximum competitive momentum and an altered summer schedule, Europe’s newest champion will join a world-class field looking to conquer the mountain layout and cement their place in major championship folklore.