One-shot triumph for Matthew

Catriona Matthew held her nerve to seal a one-shot triumph in the Ladies Irish Open after posting a one under par round at Killeen Castle.

Overnight leader Matthew endured mixed fortunes with five birdies and four bogeys but could afford to drop a shot on the final hole for a slender victory over 2008 and 2011 champion Suzann Pettersen.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Matthew after notching her fifth Ladies European Tour victory. "It's always difficult going out in the lead. I was just kind of trotting along there at seven under and saw Suzann making some birdies.

"I made a good birdie on 15 and then the one on 17 just gave a little bit of a cushion coming up the last, which was nice. I knew I had a two shot lead and I had seen what Suzann had done on 17 and 18 so I knew she was two behind so I reckoned I could make five from there."

Pettersen had begun the day three strokes adrift of Matthew but the Norwegian recorded her second consecutive score of 69 to claim the runner-up spot, while England's Laura Davies was a further three shots adrift despite a fine four under par 68 today.

Spain's Pernilla Lindberg, who was just one stroke behind Matthew overnight, finished on one under overall alongside Australia's Nikki Garrett and France's Joanna Klatten after a poor round of 75.