Krystle Caithness eighth in Slovakia

In her second season on the circuit, the St Regulus 21-year-old birdied the third and the long 18th in a faultless display and finished on one under par and in a tie for eighth place.

Spain's Maria Hernandez Munoz claimed the title in only her second LET event as a professional when she snatched victory on eight under par when she birdied the final two holes for a 70 and finished one ahead of Australia's Kristie Smith (72).

Caithness had a career best fifth place in last year's Irish Open and she was eighth in the German Open just two weeks ago.

England's Melissa Reid, a winner in Turkey earlier in the month, led going into the final round, but slipped back to finish alongside Caithness after a disappointing 79, and it left 46-year-old Laura Davies as the top Briton.

England's former world No1 had led at halfway, but fell behind after a third round 76. However, she bounced back with a closing 69 and was outright third on six under par to extend her lead over Reid at the head of the LET Order of Merit.

Lynn Kenny shot 78 in the final round and finished on 12 over par 300, while it was a wretched weekend for the third Scot to make the cut, Ayrshire's Pamela Feggans. Tied for 15th at halfway, she slumped to an 82 on Saturday and a final round of 79 left her on 18 over par, all but last of the 68 qualifiers.

Scotland's Janice Moodie fired an opening 71 to lie in a five-way tie for fourth, only three shots behind leader Maria Hjorth of Sweden in the LPGA Brasil Cup, while Catriona Matthew is on 74.

Hjorth had found herself two-over-par after just three holes but produced seven birdies between the fourth and 12th holes to bring herself back into contention and then claim a one-shot lead over Meaghan Francella and Mariajo Uribe.

Hjorth said: "The hardest part today was not getting off to a good start with bogeys at two and three. With a 36-hole event, you want to come out fast and shoot a good round."