Maguire falls one stroke short as Spilkova takes title

Leona Maguire missed out on a playoff by a single stroke as Czech Republic's Klara Spilkova took the KPMG Irish Women's Open crown at Dromoland Castle.

The home favourite began the final day well placed, just two shots adrift, however she was rocked by a bogey-bogey start and briefly threatened to tumble out of the reckoning.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

However, the Cavan golfer gathered herself impressively with birdies at 7 and 10 to get back to even par for her final round, and her challenge cranked up a gear with birdies on 13 and 14, leaving her well in the mix in a highly congested leaderboard.

Further birdies followed at the closing par-5s on 16 and 18 but with others also making hay over the closing stretch, Maguire wound up one stroke short, Spilkova having already established the clubhouse lead at 14-under.

The Czech golfer made her crucial charge around the turn, with four birdies in six holes between holes 6 and 11.

Denmark's Nicole Broch Estrup, a member of the overnight leading pack, rattled in three closing birdies to force a playoff, with Finland's Ursula Wikstrom joining them an even more impressive birdie burst, registering five birdies in the final seven holes.

However, Spilkova wasn't to be denied, birdieing the first playoff hole to win only her second title on the European Tour, a first in five years.

More to follow...