England’s Holly Clyburn survives scare to claim NSW Open title

ENGLAND’S Holly Clyburn hung on in a thrilling final round to claim the Women’s NSW Open title by one shot on Sunday.

Holly Clyburn of England in action during day one of the 2015 Ladies Masters at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

ENGLAND’S Holly Clyburn hung on in a thrilling final round to claim the Women’s NSW Open title by one shot on Sunday.

Overnight frontrunner Clyburn broke clear of a five-way tie for the lead in mid-round and won at 11-under-par when she holed a three-foot putt at the last hole at Oatlands Golf Club.

With rounds of 69 66 and 70 she won from NSW’s Rebecca Artis (68), fast-finishing Austrian Christine Wolf (64), Scotland’s Vikki Laing (67) and Switzerland’s Fabienne In-Albon (69).

A birdie on the par 4 14th hole proved crucial.

Clyburn hit her 3-wood off the tee, then her wedge into the green and rolled in a nine-foot birdie putt to break away from the group of players at 10-under-par.

It was the 24-year-old’s third professional victory after wins on the Ladies European Tour (LET) Access Series and LET.

“It means a lot,” said Clyburn.

“I have been knocking on the door for a few months now.

“I have been working hard ... it has just been great and a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.” NSW’s Nikki Garrett (70) finished outright sixth at nine-under, while Victorian Stacey Keating (66), South Australian Tamie Durdin (68) and NSW amateur Shelley Shin (69) shared seventh a further shot back.

Twelve-year-old amateur Belinda Ji missed the cut after carding rounds of 84 and 82.

Originally published as England’s Holly Clyburn survives scare to claim NSW Open title