Spain's Raquel Carriedo held off the challenge of defending champion Sophie Gustafson at Faithlegg this afternoon to win the Waterford Crystal Irish Open, her third win of the season.
In a spectacular finale, Carriedo hit a 100-yard wedge shot to a couple of feet for a birdie at the 18th and won the £18,500 prize by a shot from Gustafson. Carriedo’s total of 16-under-par 200 was a Tour record-equalling total for a three-round tournament.
Laura Davies, with a birdie at the last from 10 feet, tied for third on 14 under with Spain's Ana Belen Sanchez, as her hopes of ending a two-year drought in Europe failed to materialise.
Carriedo had a flawless six birdie 66, while Swede Gustafson shot a 65 in a sterling effort to retain the title. For the 30-year-old champion, another title to set alongside the Taiwan and Compaq Opens secured the Order of Merit title and confirmed that the Solheim Cup player as one of the best in Europe.
"I couldn't be happier," said Carriedo, who attributes much of her success this season to her English caddie, Andy Dearden. "My boyfriend was in the gallery, and it is the first time that he has seen me win.
"Now I can head to America with even more confidence. I'm very proud to be the number one in Europe and it really has been a wonderful season."