Laura Davies back to form

Britain's Laura Davies eclipsed her rivals to successfully defend her Chrysler Open title in Sweden by a massive eight shots and said: "This is the best I've played for the last couple of years."

The former world number one carded a five-under-par round of 67 for a 15-under total of 273 which left nearest rival and fellow Briton Alison Nicholas trailing in her wake on 281.

The victory in Halmstad, Davies' 29th on the European Tour, maintained an amazing run which has seen her win at least once every year since she turned professional in 1985.

It was her 55th career victory but her first since the US Tour Players' Championship in Las Vegas in December and her first European title since this event a year ago.

"I've been playing well for the past few weeks and this is now a great springboard for the rest of the season," said Davies, who won £22,500.

"I can't remember ever having had only four bogeys over four days, especially on a course as good as this one.

"I joked earlier in the week that I would retire if anybody shot 16 under over this course because it is a really tough lay-out.

"Having said that, it hasn't come as a complete surprise because I had a good performance in the Evian Masters and last week I was only one off the lead in the LPGA with 10 holes to play but I couldn't sink any putts.

"But I needed only 25 putts on Saturday and only 28 on Sunday and that's the big difference. I'm very pleased with 11 under for the last two rounds."

Nicholas, the 1997 US Open champion, staged a fighting finish with a back nine of 33 and her five-birdie 68 secured the £15,225 second price.

"I'm delighted to have won the battle for second place," she said. "But it was a terrific performance by Laura. She's back to her best."