Australian Stacey Keating claimed her first Ladies European Tour title with a playoff victory at the Tenerife Open de Espana Femenino. Keating steered home a birdie from five yards on the first extra hole of her sudden-death playoff against Caroline Masson of Germany after the pair finished Sunday&aposs final round level at nine-under. The 26-year-old, whose previous best finish was fifth place at the 2011 Sanya Ladies Open, was just one stroke behind overnight leader Masson heading into the final day. And a two-under 70 moved her level with Masson after the German carded a one-under 71 in her fourth round. Englishwoman Trish Johnson climbed nine positions into third, one shot shy of a playoff spot, while Australia&aposs Nikki Garrett finished the tournament in fourth at seven-under overall. Carlota Giganda of Spain headlined a group of four women to end the event at six-under, following her five-under 65 on the final day. Compatriot Tania Elosegui, American Esther Choe and South African Lee-Anne Pace joined Giganda at six-under. A five-under 65 performance on the final day from England&aposs Henrietta Zuel saw her move up 20 places to ninth. Zuel ended her stay on the Spanish island at five-under overall, alongside South African Ashleigh Simon, Italian pair Sophie Sandolo and Diana Luna, and Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera. Rebecca Artis was the next best Australian (two-under) in a share for 16th position, with Rachel Bailey finishing at three-over for the tournament and in 39th, while Frances Bondad (five-over) and Bree Arthur (six-over) were further down the leaderboard.
Author: Omnisport