McKay enjoys her first victory

Scotland’s Mhairi McKay scored her first professional victory as a disappointed Laura Davies had to settle for second best in the AAMI Australian Open at Terrey Hills near Sydney today.

McKay, four behind Davies at the start of the final round, surged through the field with a superb five-under-par 67 for an 11-under 277 total and pipped her Solheim Cup teammate by a shot.

“This really is a dream come true,” said the Turnberry 27-year-old, who has had four second places since turning professional in 1998.

“It’s something I’ve wanted all my life and I can hardly believe it.”

Davies, aiming for an Australian double following her win in the ANZ Ladies’ Masters in Queensland the previous week, had led from round one and made the perfect start with birdies at the first two holes.

But as she hit a rough patch mid-round, McKay made her charge with four birdies in a row from the 13th, taking the lead with a chip and putt birdie at the long 16th.

After holing out for her five-under round, she then had to wait for 20 minutes to see if Davies could match her total.

When Davies missed a 20-foot birdie putt at the last, it was time to celebrate victory.

“This is the perfect way to start the year and, hopefully, I can build on it,” said the new champion.

“To beat Laura makes it that little bit special because she is someone I have always admired when I was growing up.”

As for Davies, she added: “Obviously I’m disappointed, but Mhairi’s 67 was a great score in a tricky wind. I played a few loose shots mid-round and that was obviously when she started to really play well.”

England’s Suzanne Strudwick, joint leader with Davies overnight, slipped to a 78 for four-under 284 and joint 14th place.