Hyett holds off Davies charge

Laura Davies hit a course-record 67 yesterday to tie with Australia's Tamara Hyett, only to lose in the sudden-death play-off for the Australian LPG Championship at the Horizons Resort in Nelson Bay.

Davies – nine behind Hyett at the start of the round – had four birdies and two eagles to close the gap with a six-under round and force the play-off on 11-under 281. But it was the Australian who shot a birdie from 12 feet at the first extra hole to win her first event as a professional.

Yorkshire's Georgina Simpson, three behind Hyett and in second place overnight, led by three with eight to play, but had a double-bogey at the 11th, and further dropped shots at the 12th and 17th saw her finish on 74, one outside the play-off.

"I set out hoping to finish third," Davies said. "I just decided to attack the course, and it was great to shoot so low and play so well at this stage of the season."

CONTRABART AUSTRALIAN LPG CHAMPIONSHIP (Nelson Bay, Aus) Leading final scores (Aus unless stated): 281 T Hyett 68 68 69 76; L Davies (GB) 71 74 69 67 (Hyett won with birdie at first hole of sudden-death play-off). 282 G Simpson (GB) 69 71 68 74. 285 T Johnson (GB) 72 72 73 68, M Hjorth (Swe) 72 70 73 70. 286 S Head (GB) 73 70 72 71, N Taylor 73 71 72 70. 287 R Stevenson 74 73 68 72. 288 J Head (GB) 74 71 72 71, R Teske 68 77 75 68.