Eleanor Givens is first female winner on equitable 2020protour at Rockliffe Hall

That is the verdict of co-tour director Chris Hanson, following a joint win for 31-year-old Eleanor Givens at the series’ seventh event of its inaugural year.

Givens fired a four-under-par round of 68 at her home course of Rockliffe Hall to share top spot with another fellow Rockliffe professional, Andrew Wilson.

It was a strong day for the women on the tour, with Gemma Clews and Gosforth Park amateur Jess Baker shooting rounds of 71 to finish in a tie for sixth.

The 2020protour began this year, offering female golfers equal opportunity to their male counterparts. Women golfers tee off from the ladies tee and generally play the course 11 per cent shorter than the men.

No woman has got close to the top prize in the previous six events until Rockliffe’s Givens put home knowledge to good use.

Not that that validates the objective, believes Hanson.

“Its nice to see because we have been trying to get the balance right,” he said. “Eleanor winning does not mean that it is right, she could have just played a superb round, but it is all part of the learning curve for us. Our aim remains to be as equitable as possible. Initially the courses were meant to be a minumum of 11 per cent shorter for women, but we’re finding it’s more like between 15 and 19 percent. On the long courses you really see the difference, when it’s really long for the men it’s harder for them.”

Givens said: “I’m really grateful that the 2020protour gives men and women equitable playing opportunities so close to home.

“I’m thrilled to get my first professional win.”

Nick McCarthy was also in the logjam at one under to stay second on the order or merit behind 2020protour points list leader Nick Poppleton (Wath) who finished in the last of the money places in 11th on level par.

The 2020protour moves on quickly to Worksop Golf Club on Wednesday.

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