Stupples secures narrow win

Karen Stupples reeled in overnight leader Amy Yang to claim victory at the S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe.

The 36-year-old from Kent secured a one-stroke win at Royal St David's thanks to a final round of 70 for a total of 12 under par.

It was Stupples' first win since the 2004 Women's British Open at Sunningdale and provided some cause for celebration after a tough start to the year which has seen her miss seven out of 14 cuts on the LPGA Tour.

She also had to take four weeks off after surgery to remove her appendix in March.

"It's been quite a traumatic year, physically and mentally," she said.

Starting the day two shots behind Yang, she birdied her opening two holes to catch the South Korean and added further birdies at the fourth and eighth to move three strokes clear at the turn.

She made up for dropping a shot at the tough par-four 10th with a birdie on the 13th before bogeys at the 16th and 18th threatened to deny her victory, but she did enough to claim the £52,500 first prize.

"I tried to let it go on the last few holes but fortunately I managed to hold on with all the nails I had," said Stupples.

"I think the front nine set me off to a fine start. I went off to a really good one and from that point on I sat back I think instead of keeping attacking. It was interesting."

Yang could only manage a final round of 73, while Katherine Hull of Australia finished third on nine under par.

Wales' Becky Brewerton was fourth on eight under after a final round of 71, while England's Melissa Reid and Sweden's Anna Nordqvist finished a stroke further back in a share of fifth.