Marita Engzelius (Oslo, Norway) hit her 7-wood approach shot to 5-feet on the first playoff hole and drained the eagle putt to best Jackie Stoelting and Demi Runas by a stroke at the Epson Tour Championship on Sunday.

“It’s just a great, great end of the Epson Tour season,” Engzelius said. “I’m unbelievably happy to stand here with this trophy. I was shaking. I was shaking a lot. The first professional win is big and this is definitely the beginning for me and I’m looking forward to many more.”

The trio of Engzelius, Stoelting and Runas headed to the 18th for a playoff hole after all had finished their four rounds of play at 10-under,278.

“I hit my driver really good and it was far. I must have had a lot of adrenaline there. Then I saw the girls hit right at the pin and both roll over and my caddie and I were discussing which club to hit and I felt comfortable with the 7-wood that I had in my hand. It was a good shot. It was a lot closer than what I thought actually. When they made birdies and I made the eagle I have no words to describe it except incredible,” Engzelius explained of her playoff hole.

While the victory, and $22,500 first place check, wasn’t enough to move Engzelius into the top-10 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list it was enough to move Engzelius to 15th on the money list and earn her an exemption into the Stage III of Qualifying School.

“It’s very important,” Engzelius said of earning the exemption. “I knew I didn’t have a chance to get my card this week even though I won, but I knew I had a chance to get straight to final stage and play this course again in December. I will get a couple of months of good practice in and we will see what happens there but maybe I can give myself an opportunity for LPGA next year.”

Engzelius was proud to wear the Norwegian Golf Federation logo on her chest for her first professional victory.

“I love my country and they have been very helpful,” Engzelius said. “The Norwegian Golf Federation has been a big help from home and if they hadn’t been there I wouldn’t have a chance to play this week and win. It’s amazing for me. Looking up to Suzann Pettersen she’s always someone I’ve looked up to because she works so hard. I’m very excited to follow her footsteps.”

The Orlando resident will be low key while celebrating her victory deciding to share it with her boyfriend who is has also been her caddie for the past three weeks.

“I’m going to drive back to Orlando, have a good dinner with my boyfriend who caddied for me the past three weeks. I think it will be just us two and we’ll have a great time.”

On Other Tours: Marita Engzelius wins the Epson Tour Championship presented by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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