Catriona Matthew ended her barren run of victories by winning the Ladies Irish Open on Sunday with a solid final round of one-under-par 71. The Scottish golfer had not won an event across both the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA since triumphing at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational last November. But the 42-year-old led from start-to-finish at Killeen Castle, sinking five birdies in the final round to finish at seven-under for the tournament and claim a fifth European Tour crown of her career. Defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway recorded six birdies on her way to a three-under-par 69 final round and second place, one shot behind the winner on six under. Englishwoman Laura Davies, the 1995 champion, was three strokes back at three under. Australia&aposs Nikki Garrett improved on her opening two rounds of one-over and equal-par to card two-under par 70 in the final round and finish with a one-under par total. The 28-year-old finished fourth alongside Frenchwoman Joanna Klatten and Swede Pernilla Lindberg, who registered two-under and three-over rounds respectively. Felicity Johnson of England and Scotland&aposs Carly Booth both finished with equal-par totals for a share of seventh place. English pair Jodi Ewart and Elizabeth Bennett, Carlota Ciganda of Spain, Dutchwoman Dewi Claire Schreefel and American Alison Walshe all finished one-over after three rounds and in a share of ninth spot. Stacey Keating was the pick of Australians behind Garrett with a four-over total and 18th position and she was followed by Frances Bondad who finished tied for 34th. Alison Whitaker (+7), Rachel Bailey (+9) and Lindsey Wright (+10) were further down the leaderboard in ties for 42nd, 52nd and 57th places.
Author: Omnisport