This year's KPMG Women's Irish Open champion Casandra Alexander has won the Ladies Italian Open by a three-shot margin, while Sara Byrne was the only Irish player in action on Sunday, finishing tied for 23rd.
A month after clinching a wire-to-wire victory at the K Club, South African Alexander had shared the lead after Friday's opening night at Golf Club Milano and after a 68 on Saturday, remained tied at the summit with Sweden's Moa Folke and Germany’s Alexandra Forsterling going into the final round.
A three-under 69 on Sunday, including an eagle on nine to wipe out a double bogey and bogey on two and five respectively, was enough for her to finish on 12 under and hold off Anna Morgan and Sophie Hausmann, who finished three adrift after posting a 69 and 64 respectively.
"I'm glad I didn’t have to wait for this one as long as I waited for the previous one," said Alexander.
"My game’s in the right place to win golf tournaments, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and having more opportunities. As golfers, as soon as you get one, you’re after the next one, so I’m really happy to walk away with the win and it’s great to be here in Italy."
England's Cara Gainer was tied for fourth on eight under.
Meanwhile, Cork native Byrne also carded a 69 to finish just outside the top 20 on two under.
Olivia Mehaffey, Aine Donegan, Annabel Wilson and Anna Foster had all missed the cut after Saturday's second round.
