Date: September 22, 2008
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Nocera masters Sweden event

Gwladys Nocera won her ninth women&aposs European Tour title since May 2006 with a record breaking performance at the G teborg Masters in Sweden. The 33-year-old Frenchwoman sealed her fourth title of the year with the best 72-hole score in the LET&aposs 30-year history, finishing with a six-under 66 at Lycke Golf Club to close the tournament at 29-under-par 259. Nocera broke Laura Davies&apos previous record in relation to par of 25-under 267, set at the 1995 Guardian Irish Holidays Open at St Margaret&aposs. The raw score of 267 had also been recorded by Davies at the 1988 Biarritz Open and by Juli Inkster at the 2003 Evian Masters. Nocera explained: “I really didn&apost think I could shoot that low when I came here. It&aposs probably much better than I expected.” The current European No.2 began the final round with an eight-stroke lead over Spain&aposs Paula Marti but stretched that into an 11 shot victory over Sweden&aposs Nina Reis. Reis, a 28-year-old from the nearby town of Kungalv, fired an 11-under-par 61 and tied the record for the LET&aposs all-time lowest round – set by England&aposs Kirsty Taylor at the 2005 Wales Ladies Championship of Europe. Reis was 12-under-par for the day after 17 holes and a score of 59 looked possible, but she bogeyed the last to drop back to 18-under-par 270 for second place, her career best finish on the tour. Her round included three eagles, at the seventh, 11th and 17th holes, seven birdies and two bogeys. England&aposs Felicity Johnson finished a shot further back in third on 17-under after a final round of 68. The 21-year-old dropped a shot at the par-four 18th but matched her previous career best finishes of third at the 2007 Northern Ireland Ladies Open and in February&aposs ANZ Ladies Masters. “I would have taken it at the start of the week so this has given me a lot of confidence for the last two events. I&aposm chuffed to bits with it really,” said Johnson. “This has given me some confidence for France and Madrid and hopefully I will go a step further next time.” Frances Bondad was the leading Australian in the field, taking a share of 17th place at 10-under following a closing 66, while Karen Lunn was tied for 23rd at seven-under. Cherie Byrnes and Joanne Mills were a shot further back in 26th spot, while Nikki Garrett finished at four-under. Ladies Fourth Round of the Goteborg Masters, Sweden -29: Gwladys Nocera 66 62 65 66 -18: Nina Reis 69 67 73 61 -17: Felicity Johnson 62 70 71 68 -16: Paula Marti 64 66 71 71, Amy Yang 69 68 70 65 -15: Marianne Skarpnord 71 69 67 66 -14: Samantha Head 71 69 70 64, Sophie Gustafson 69 71 64 70, Marta Prieto 66 69 68 71 -13: Laura Davies 70 70 71 64, Lisa Hall 69 72 66 68 Also: -10: Frances Bondad (Australia) 69 71 72 66 -7: Karen Lunn (Australia) 69 72 71 69 -6: Cherie Byrnes (Australia) 72 71 71 68, Joanne Mills (Australia) 72 70 71 69 -4: Nikki Garrett (Australia) 68 72 71 73 -2: Sarah Nicholson (Australia) 68 69 74 75 +2: Dana Lacey (Australia) 70 71 71 78