Meghan MacLaren wins Rose Ladies Series event despite penalty

England's Meghan MacLaren won the second Rose Ladies Series event at Moor Park Golf Club despite being docked two strokes during the 18-hole event after playing the wrong ball. 

MacLaren, 26, carded a 3-under par 69 to win the tournament by two strokes over Liz Young and amateur Samantha Fuller. 

Congratulations @meg_maclaren on the W today #RoseLadiesSeries I’m not sure how much work @DavidMGolf did today while watching live updates on @GolfGenius

Thank you so much @Moorparkgolf for hosting the event....@americangolf_UK @ComputacenterUK pic.twitter.com/0sYj126efX

— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) June 25, 2020

"I love this game, even when I play the wrong ball," tweeted MacLaren, after picking up a first prize cheque for £5,000 from Justin Rose's wife Kate. 

MacLaren, who won the 2007 LET Access Series Order of Merit, has become known as one of the most thoughtful spokeswomen in the game with a quick wit and uncanny writing skills, in addition to a solid putter.

She birdied the first hole on Thursday and eagled the fourth to take a quick lead. Another birdie at 10 got her to six under for the round before the two-stroke penalty halted her momentum at 11. 

But MacLaren responded with a birdie at the 15th to regain the edge and held on to win by two strokes. 

"I think everybody felt a bit more comfortable this week," said MacLaren on returning to competitive action after three months due to the coronavirus lockdown. 

"We were thrown in at the deep end last week (at Brokenhurst Manor) because the course was really tough. This one was tough as well, but you start to get your edge back bit by bit."

Charley Hull, who won the first Rose Ladies Series event last week, finished four strokes off the pace on 1-over par. 

Six more events remain in the Rose Ladies Series, which now moves on to Buckinghamshire Golf Club next week. 

The two-day Rose Ladies Series Grand Final is set to be held at two venues on August 6 to 7.

The Berkshire will host the opening round with the second being played at Wentworth's West Course, which is the home of the European Tour's flagship event the PGA Championship.