BRISBANE _ Dutchwoman Christel Boeljon hadn't made the cut in three previous three attempts but she held her nerve in a gripping four-way finish to put her name alongside some of golf's superstars who've won the Australian Ladies Masters title.
It took Boeljon 72 holes to hit the lead.
When she did, she raised her fists in a show of emotion after sinking her metre birdie to take the $75,000 winner's prize.
``I never guessed I'd be holding this trophy, it's very special,'' said the 24-year-old who made her Solheim Cup debut for Europe last September.
``Starting the season off with this win, it's amazing.''
Boeljon registered rounds of 66, 65, 68, 68 for a 21-under total, to be one clear of overnight leader So-Yeong Ryu (66, 61, 69, 72) who led by four shots after the second round.
The 21-year-old South Korean had a disappointing final round, struggling into a tie for second with aggressive Italian Diana Luna (71, 64, 66, 67) and gallant South Korean Ha-Neul Kim (72, 65, 64, 67).
The ever-smiling Ryu was a shattered figure after holding the lead until the last hole _ a hole she'd conquered with two birdies and an eagle the previous three rounds.
``I think I need to trust myself more,'' said the disappointed US Open champion.
``My mind is too busy I need to think simple.''
LEADING SCORES _ 267: Christel Boeljon (NED) 66 65 68 68; 268: Ha-Neul Kim (KOR) 72 65 64 67, So Yeon Ryu (KOR) 66 61 69 72, Diana Luna (ITA) 71 64 66 67; 270: Gwladys Nocera (FRA) Leg 269 68 69 64; 273: Felicity Johnson (ENG) 67 68 70 68, Bo-Mee Lee (KOR) 65 69 70 69; 275: Lindsey Wright (AUS) 70 71 66 68, Danielle Kang (USA) 70 71 66 68, Nikki Campbell (AUS) 67 67 70 71; 276: Giulia Sergas (ITA) 70 68 68 70, Karine Icher (FRA) 73 70 69 64, Sophie Gustafson (SWE) 69 70 70 67, Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 72 71 69 64; 277: Kylie Walker (SCO) 71 71 66 69, Lexi Thompson (USA) 67 70 72 68, Frances Bondad (AUS) 68 72 63 74, Haeji Kang (KOR) 73 66 71 67
278: Bree Arthur (AUS) 70 66 71 71, Stacy Lewis (USA) 70 73 67 68, Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 69 68 73 68; 279: Amelia Lewis (USA) 71 64 70 74, Joanna Klatten (FRA) 69 69 70 71, Wendy Doolan (AUS) 69 72 66 72, Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 71 69 70 69; 280: Sarah Kemp (AUS) 68 74 68 70, Julieta Granada (PAR) 74 69 68 69, Hee Kyung Seo (KOR) 66 71 73 70; 281: Amanda Blumenherst (USA) 71 70 70 70, Heather Bowie Young (USA) 70 72 70 69, Lynnette Brooky (NZL) 70 72 71 68; 282: Katie Futcher (USA) 71 69 72 70, Lydia Ko (a-NZL) 70 69 69 74, Stacey Keating (AUS) 70 70 69 73, Stephanie Na (AUS) 67 72 70 73, Sophie Giquel-Bettan (FRA) 70 69 71 72; 283: Sarah Oh (AUS) 73 70 68 72, Mariajo Uribe (COL) 71 69 74 69, Beth Allen (USA) 74 65 75 69, Jane Rah (USA) 74 69 71 69, Nikki Garrett (AUS) 71 71 72 69, Dewi Claire Schreefel (NED) 70 71 71 71, Lee-Anne Pace (RSA) 69 71 71 72.
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