Alfredsson shines in the fog to end victory drought

Helen Alfredsson, the leader from the first round one, ended a long lean run by winning the WPGA Championship of Europe for a second time yesterday.

After a two-hour delay for fog in the middle of the day, the Swede, the winner at Gleneagles four years ago, shot a two-under-par 71 to scoop the £60,000 first prize.

She finished on 16-under-par 276, four shots ahead of the Norwegian Suzann Pettersen, who had been hoping to add the title to the French Open she won last month. Sweden's Asa Gottmo was another three shots back in third place after a joint best of day 68.

Pettersen, a 20-year-old who won last year's individual title at the World Amateur Championship, led by three shots with eight to play, but the experienced Alfredsson produced a string of birdies when it mattered most. She reeled off three in a row from the 11th, while Pettersen dropped three shots in a row from the 13th and another at the 18th.

For Alfredsson, who won the title at Gleneagles four years ago, it ended a three-year spell without a win. "I started horribly but it was great to come back," said the 36-year-old from Gothenburg. "It proves there's life in me yet, and it's particularly nice to end the drought in Europe."

To the delight of the home crowd, Wales's Becky Morgan, with a 73 for eight under 284, was the leading Briton in joint fourth place, while Trish Johnson was also in the top 10, another two back after a 71.