Laura Davies gains 66th career victory

England's Laura Davies returned to Concord GC on Monday morning and quickly went about her business, eventually cruising to victory in the AAMI Women's Australian Open, winning the $Aus73,500 first prize by six shots from Rachel Teske to claim her 66 th career title in a 19-year-career.

Davies ' five under par total was the only score in red figures after the tough Concord GC layout

With the third round delayed by over five hours due to torrential rain flooding the course, play stopped after the final group completed 12 holes on Sunday night. Davies, who led by three, came out at 7.20am firing on all cylinders and rapidly opened a five shot lead over the Australian.

Teske dropped a shot at the 13 th and Davies birdied the 14 th and when the Australian bogeyed the 15 th , Davies added another birdie at the 17 th and cruised home for her first Australian Women's Open title, continuing her run of at least one win in each year of her career.

"I didn't feel too comfortable this morning, but I came out and the first couple of holes went my way," said the 40-year-old from Ottershaw in Surrey, who can now add the Australian title to her British, US, Thai, Danish, Italian, Belgian, Swiss, Scottish, Welsh, Spanish and Irish Open titles.

"I played really well all week, but it was a long slog and coming out this morning, I felt I was playing well enough to hold out.

"The is a tournament I rank very highly and hopefully it will be the start of a fun year. It was good to get the victory this year out of the way early, especially against such a good field and keep my run going.

"It's nice to know that when I play my best, I can still win."

Davies' compatriot and former Solheim Cup partner Trish Johnson also returned to top form with a gritty performance over four rounds to take outright third spot on three over par.

"Finally I played the last four holes in something better than three or four over par," said Johnson, who got into contention for her 17 th worldwide win on Saturday afternoon, only to finish with a couple of bogeys and a double bogey at the last hole.

"I hit a lot of good shots this week.and few bad ones, but I feel good about my game, especially my short game."

Johnson finished two shots clear of Australian Michelle Ellis and Germany's Martina Eberl and a shot further back on six over par were England's Johanna Head, who carded a final round 69, Denmark's Carina Wagner, who had a 70 and former World number one Karrie Webb who had a 73.

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