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End of an era as Matthew triumphs

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew held off a dramatic back nine charge from defending champion Suzann Pettersen to clinch a one-stroke victory in the Ladies Irish Open at Killeen Castle.

But what the future holds for the event remains to be seen as the “Solheim Cup era” drew to a close with all 15 sponsors officially ending their involvement last night.

AIB will not be back and Fáilte Ireland’s commitment will depend on budgetary constraints, leaving the now independent tournament promoter Roddy Carr with a huge challenge.

Carr has put women’s golf back on the Irish golfing public’s radar thanks to the long build-up to last year’s highly successful Solheim Cup.

And while he believes that the event could go forward without Fáilte Ireland’s financial backing, he knows he must come up with an innovative battleplan, even it means taking a one-year hiatus.

“This was a chapter,” Carr said. “Every one of the 15 sponsors we have, including the AIB support and the government support, terminates tonight.

“But it’s the end of a chapter only, and it’s the beginning of the future for women’s golf.

Carr is looking at a revolutionary new model. What that is, he’s keeping close to his chest.

“I’ve been working on that for six months and have something very different in mind. But if it takes a year and it doesn’t happen next year, you wait until the following year to get it absolutely right.”

Matthew would be keen to return to the site of her Solheim Cup heroics after holding on for a fifth Ladies European Tour win worth €52,500.

Two clear overnight and still two ahead with five to play, the 42-year saw her lead disappear when she bogeyed the 14th and Pettersen got up and down from sand for a birdie at the 500-yard 15th to go three under for the day.

Playing in the group behind, the 42-year old Scot responded by draining a 30 footer for birdie there to go one clear again but while Pettersen immediately birdied the 16th from 15 feet to draw level on seven under, Matthew finished the stronger.

After getting up and down from sand at the 16th for par, she birdied the 17th from 12 feet after Pettersen (69) had made a poor bogey, bunkering her sand wedge and failing with a 20 footer for par.

The Norwegian parred the last for a 69 to finish on six under but was seething afterwards.

“I made a good run at it and played good until I made a silly bogey on 17,” she said after earning €35,525.

“I thought I could hit a very hard sand wedge from 85 yards and just misjudged the wind.”

With a two stroke lead playing the 18th, Matthew wasn’t too concerned when she overshot the 18th and found the back bunker and bogeyed.

“I’m absolutely delighted. It’s always difficult going out in the lead. I was just kind of trotting along there at seven under and saw Suzann making some birdies,” Matthew said. “I think she thought she was in the Solheim Cup again.

“I think it was always going to be difficult coming back here in a way with so many good memories but maybe I was a little bit inspired by some of my play from last year in The Solheim Cup.”

Former winner Laura Davies belied her 48 years and a niggling Achilles injury to take third place on three under after a 68 and pocket €24,500. Home

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