Gustafson back in the winner's circle again

Gustafson at the par-five 18th

However she holed a long birdie putt from 35 feet at the sixth hole, only to three-putt the seventh for a bogey. She hit the turn in 36, one-under-par, with a seven shot lead.

The back nine proved more treacherous, as Davies, playing in the penultimate match, was mounting a strong challenge. The European number one made the turn in level par 37 but birdied holes 12, 14, 15, 16 and 18 on the back nine for a final round of five-under-par 67, sealing her sixth second place finish of the season.

“I didn’t hole quite as may putts as I would have liked but I gave it my best shot. Sophie’s a great champion and I knew it was going to be almost impossible to catch her. I turned out to be right,” Davies said.

Gustafson bogeyed holes 10, 15 and 17 on her back nine and birdied the short 14th to finish two clear of her good friend and Solheim Cup team mate.

The 32-year-old Gustafson admitted that she had been encouraged by hearing of the Englishwoman’s win three weeks ago at the SAS Masters in Norway.