Britain's Laura Davies falls short in Australian Open

FINAL LEADERBOARD:
-9 Y Tseng (Tai) -6 L Davies (Eng) -5 K Webb (Aus) -4 K Hull (Aus), G Sergas (Ita) -3 L Wright (Aus) Selected others: +3 M Reid (Eng) +6 R Hudson (Eng) +7 B Brewerton (Wal)

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Davies (right) congratulates Tseng after her victory in Melbourne

Britain's Laura Davies finished three shots behind winner Yani Tseng of Taiwan after an impressive display at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Davies carded a final round of 71, but it was not enough as Tseng scorched round Melbourne's Commonwealth Club course in a seven-under 66 to win.

Tseng finished on nine under, with home favourite Karrie Webb a further shot behind defending champion Davies.

"Last night I said to friends that I was going to play good," Tseng said.

The 21-year-old world number six, who birdied five of her final nine holes, added: "This is a really tough course and you just need to be patient. If you just lose a little focus, it is really bad. I tried to be focused and patient.

"For the last three holes my whole body was shaking. When I stepped up to putt I felt my heart going really fast. I told myself to be relaxed. I told my caddie to be relaxed too."

Davies made six birdies in the final round, but her card was spoiled by four bogeys.

World number eight Webb, who birdied her first two holes, paid the price for some poor putting after leading going into the final day.

For the last three holes my whole body was shaking Yani Tseng

"I got off to a really great start," said Webb, the four-time Australian Open champion, who went round in 74.

"I was feeling pretty good out there until I played a couple of scrappy holes on six and seven and really lost a lot of momentum there.

"I just did not hit it as good after that, for some reason. I did not trust myself as much as I would have liked.

"I did not feel as comfortable with the putter in my hand. There was a bit more noise in my head than there has been."