Perrot battles for maiden triumph

FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD US unless stated -14 Nicole Perrot (Chi) -13 Hee-Won Han (Kor) -10 Catriona Matthew (GB), Liselotte Neumann (Swe) -9 Shi Hyun Ahn (Kor), Lindsey Wright (Aus)

Nicole Perrot captured her maiden LPGA title with a tense one-shot victory in the Longs Drugs Challenge.

The 21-year-old, Chile's only female professional, began three ahead but dropped three early shots and by the turn was two behind Hee-Won Han.

However, three birdies on the back nine saw her edge ahead of Han, last week's winner in Los Angeles, at 14 under.

Britain's Catriona Matthew secured her sixth third place of the season after a final day 68 in breezy conditions.

Perrot is in her first full season on the LPGA Tour, having turned professional in 2002, but won two Futures events last season.

Her previous best finish this year was in her very first event, at Turtle Bay in February, when she finished fifth.

This will do an awful lot for golf in Chile Nicole Perrot

Putting was a concern early in the final round with three short efforts in the opening five holes staying above ground.

An excellent sand save at the 15th led to the first of consecutive birdies but Han produced an excellent tee shot to eight feet at the short 17th, only to miss the putt that would have tied for the lead.

Perrot then holed a nervy five foot putt on the final green to secure victory.

"I am overwhelmed," she said. "This will do an awful lot for golf in Chile."

Matthew, who had three birdies, is hopeful that a victory is not far away.

"I keep knocking on the door and hopefully it will open soon," she said. "I really feel I am playing well enough to win but someone always seems to pop up to beat me."