Gwladys Nocera sees victory in Slovakia

FORMER Scottish Ladies Open champion Gwladys Nocera gave herself a confidence boost when she won her first Ladies European Tour title for five years yesterday.

The 38-year-old Frenchwoman, whose last tournament victory was at the 2008 Madrid Ladies Masters, took the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open with a four stroke margin of victory over South African Lee-Anne Pace.

“I’m very, very happy and pretty emotional,” said a tearful Nocera after claiming her 11th LET title. “It’s been a while since I lifted a trophy.”

Australian rookie Whitney Hillier recorded a career-best finish of solo third place after an eagle on the par-five 18th.

England’s Liz Young had a chance to tie for third but left a short birdie putt just shy of the hole on the 17th and then missed a 12-foot eagle putt on the last.

She tied for fourth on three-under with Sweden’s Mikaela Parmlid, while Finnish rookie Noora Tamminen recorded a career best finish of sixth, a stroke further behind.

England’s Trish Johnson and Denmark’s Malene Jorgensen both earned Solheim Cup points for ending in a share of 10th spot but England’s Laura Davies once again just missed out by tying for 12th place.