Frenchwoman Celine Boutier contended with a long rain delay before sealing a resounding win in the inaugural Australian Ladies Classic Bonville in Coffs Harbour on Sunday.
Play was suspended for more than three hours on the final day before Boutier completed a two-shot win at the tournament on the NSW mid-north coast co-sanctioned by the ALPGA and Ladies European Tour.
The 24-year-old from Paris shot a final-round 73 to finish on 10-under-par, holding off Katie Burnett from the United States in fading light.
It was Boutier's second Ladies European Tour title following her victory at the 2017 Sanya Ladies Open in November.
She was in a dominant position heading into the last day, holding a five-stroke lead after a sizzling third round of 67.
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"It was hard, and I was a little bit nervous," Boutier said, concerned the sustained rain and fading light might halt her momentum when play finally resumed at 5.45pm (AEDT).
"It's not always easy when you have to get back out in the middle of a round but I did my best."
The biggest challenge was meant to come from Hannah Green, but her putter let her down this week.
The 22-year-old West Australian, considered the hottest talent in the women's ranks in Australia, found the greens difficult to read and managed a high finish without setting the place on fire.
Her week was best illustrated by her final hole, where she drove the ball to 150m on the par-five 18th, struck a beautiful iron 12 feet from the hole and then three-putted.
"The first two days I can't complain about but the last two days there was no momentum. I said to Paul (her caddy) 'That pretty sums up the week right there, in front of everyone'."
Boutier was prepared for a challenge from Holly Clyburn, which never came throughout the weekend despite the Briton leading after the opening two rounds.
The fight came from 28-year-old Burnett, and her famous caddie Sophie Gustafson, who has 28 international wins to her name.
Of the Australians, Queenslander Rebecca Artis finished at four-under for the tournament and tied for seventh.
