 McKay was grateful for a missed Davies putt on the 18th |
Britain's Mhairi McKay secured her first professional win with a one-shot victory in the Australian Open in Sydney on Sunday. McKay edged out her Solheim Cup team-mate and overnight leader Laura Davies by a single shot after hitting a superb five-under 67 in difficult conditions.
"This really is a dream come true," said the Scot. "It's something I've wanted all my life and I can hardly believe it.
THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD -11 Mhairi McKay (GB) -10 L Davies (GB) -9 R Teske (Aus) -8 S Head (GB), M McGuire (NZL), S Kemp (Aus) |
"This is the perfect way to start the year and, hopefully, I can build on it.
"To beat Laura makes it that little bit special because she is someone I have always admired when I was growing up."
Davies, seeking a second straight win after victory in the ANZ Ladies' Masters last week, had led from round one and made the perfect start with birdies at the opening two holes.
But as Davies lost her way either side of the turn, McKay surged through the field with four birdies in a row from the 13th, taking the lead with a birdie at the 16th.
Davies then missed putt at the 18th to tie, ending an agonising wait for McKay, who had completed her round 20 minutes earlier.
"Obviously I'm disappointed, but Mhairi's 67 was a great score in a tricky wind," said Davies.
"I played a few loose shots mid-round and that was obviously when she started to really play well."
Britain's Suzanne Strudwick, joint overnight leader, slipped to a 78 and joint 14th place, while Australia's Karrie Webb - the defending champion - finished eight points off the lead.
MMIX
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