Laing claims runner-up spot in Switzerland

VIKKI Laing chalked up her best finish in two seasons on the Ladies' European Tour when she claimed second spot behind South African Lee-Anne Pace in the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open at Golf Gerre Losone.

A closing 69, which included a chip in at the last, gave Laing a 54-hole total of 205, 11-under par and just one short off the total posted by Pace as she claimed her maiden LET victory.

Pace, a 29-year-old from Mossel Bay, trailed by two shots overnight but closed with a 68 to secure a top prize of almost 66,000. Out in 33 after birdies at the eighth and ninth, Laing picked up another shot at the 11th. Over the closing stretch she showed courage to bounce back from bogeys at the 14th and 17th with birdies at the next hole, the latter being worth a fair bit of money as she finished a shot ahead of England's Georgina Simpson.

"Overall I'm pretty happy. A 69 is pretty good. It was windy and tough conditions out there," said Laing, who picked up a cheque for almost 45,000.

It was the second time in recent weeks that a Scot had come close to winning on the circuit, Krystle Caithness having also finished runner-up in the Dutch Open. Caithness closed with a 71 to earn a share of ninth spot on six-under. Laing, who was a member of Musselburgh when she enjoyed a sparkling amateur career, now represents Lasswade, Edinburgh, on Tour.