Dutchwoman Christel Boeljon hadn't made the cut in three previous attempts but she held her nerve at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast yesterday in a gripping four-way finish to put her name alongside some of golf's superstars who have won the Australian Ladies Masters.
It took Boeljon 72 holes to hit the lead. When she did, she raised her fists in a show of emotion after sinking her one-metre birdie to take the $75,000 winner's prize.
''I never guessed I'd be holding this trophy, it's very special,'' said the 24-year-old, who made her Solheim Cup debut for Europe last September.
''Starting the season off with this win, it's amazing.''
Albury's Lindsey Wright (70-71-66-68) and Canberra's Nikki Campbell (67-67-70-71) were the leading Australians, eight shots behind the winner at 13-under.
Boeljon registered rounds of 66-65-68-68 for a 21 under total to be one clear of overnight leader So-Yeong Ryu (66-61-69-72) who led by four shots after the second round.
The 21-year-old South Korean had a disappointing final round, struggling into a tie for second with aggressive Italian Diana Luna (71-64-66-67) and gallant South Korean Ha-Neul Kim (72-65-64-67).
The ever-smiling Ryu was a shattered figure after holding the lead until the last hole.
''I think I need to trust myself more,'' the disappointed US Open champion said. ''My mind is too busy, I need to think simple.''
It was the ice cool, even tempered Boeljon who emerged victorious from a tense finish which at one stage had four players at 20 under.
She produced a crucial birdie at the 15th hole to stay within one shot of the lead and then pulled off an even better up-and-down par save at the 16th after missing the green to rejoin Ryu in the lead on 20-under.
Boeljon said the experience of helping underdog Europe to an upset win over the US last September had helped her grow as a player.
The Dutch professional said seeing her name alongside Masters champions such as Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb and world No.1 Yani Tseng was great given the success they'd achieved on the world stage.
''I think I can [compete with the best], I didn't play in the Solheim Cup for no reason,'' said Boeljon, who finished eighth on the Ladies European Tour money list last year.
Boeljon and the three runners-up will play next week's Australian Ladies Open at Royal Melbourne, which will feature six of the world's top 10-ranked players.
New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko, who won last week's NSW Open to be the youngest winner of a professional golf tournament, finished the leading amateur on six-under. She will also head to Melbourne next week to defend her Australian Women's Open amateur crown. AAP
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