SWEDE SOPHIE GUSTAFSON WINS IRISH OPEN.

Sophie Gustafson won the AIB Ladies Irish Open at Killeen Castle to continue her winning streak in Ireland by claiming her fourth AIB Ladies Irish Open title at Killeen Castle,which will host the 2011 Solheim Cup.

“I love Ireland. This is my sixth win in Ireland." said a delighted Gustafson.Sophie had won the AIB Ladies Open at Ballyliffin in 1998,Faithlegg in 2000 and Mahonys Point in 2003.She also won the World Cup and the Northern Ireland Open at Warrenpoint in 2003.

Sophie saved her best golf until the last round.She opened with a 2 under par 70,and followed up with a 4 under par 68 in round two.She started her third round with a dropped shot and despite further bogies at the 6th & 8th she managed to make 7 birdies and an eagle three at the 454 yard 12th hole for a 6 under par round of 66.

Sophie's total of 12 under par was good enough to beat the overnight leader,In Kyung Kim from South Korea and Marianne Skarpnord from Norway.

When asked about her Irish love affair, she replied: “I don’t know. I think maybe it’s the people. They are all very friendly and easy going and they have always been very supportive of me.”

Rebecca Coakley(Team Ireland) was the top home performer.She hit rounds of 71,72 and a closing 69 to share 17th place and take home a cheque for €6,900.

The 15 year old amateur Maguire twins had a great tournament.Lisa was 40th after rounds of 72,74,72 to finish on +2 alongside Scotland's,Catriona Matthew and claimed the leading Amateur prize.Leona was on level par after two rounds of 72 but fell back into a share of 49th after a closing 76.Her finish of 4 over par left her tied with Carin Koch from Sweden.

The twins' Curtis Cup partner,Danielle Mc Veigh from Kilkeel also had a good tournament.She scored 74,73,72 to finish in 43rd place on 3 over par.

1 204 -12 Sophie Gustafson (SWE)70 68 66 €75,000.00

2 205 -11 Marianne Skarpnord (NOR)70 66 69 €42,875.00
In Kyung Kim (KOR) 69 66 70 €42,875

4 206 -10 Melissa Reid (ENG) 68 72 66 €27,000

5 207 -9 Katherine Hull (AUS) 73 70 64 €21,200

6 208 -8 Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 69 67 72 €17,500.00

7 209 -7 Brittany Lang (USA) USA 73 68 68 €15,000

8= 210 -6 Helen Alfredsson (SWE)75 68 67 €10,725
Brittany Lincicome (USA) 71 71 68 €10,725
Azahara Munoz Guijarro (ESP)73 67 70 €10,725
Linda Wessberg (SWE) 70 66 74 €10,725

12= 211 -5 Veronica Zorzi (ITA)78 69 64 €7,800
Gwladys Nocera (FRA)74 71 66 €7,800
Christina Kim (USA)72 70 69 €7,800
Maria Hjorth (SWE)67 71 73 €7,800
Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 71 66 74 €7,800

17= 212 -4 REBECCA COAKLEY (IRE)71 72 69 €6,900
Giulia Sergas (ITA)69 72 71 €6,900

19= 213 -3 Amy Yang (KOR) 74 71 68 €6,375.00
Angela Stanford (USA) 71 72 70 €6,375
Nikki Garrett (AUS) 73 69 71 €6,375
Georgina Simpson (ENG) 70 70 73 €6,375

IRISH RESULTS
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40 218 +2 LISA MAGUIRE 72,74,72.

43 219 +3 DANIELLE MC VEIGH 74,73,72.

49 220 +4 LEONA MAGUIRE 72,72,76.

MISSED CUT.+4.
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224 +8 MARTINA GILLEN.

229 +13 HAZEL KAVANAGH.

231 +15 TARA DELANEY.

238 +22 CLARE COUGHLAN RYAN.