Australia's Sarah Jane Smith has equalled her best finish at an LPGA Tour event with a tie for second at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico City.
Heading into the final round a shot off the lead, Smith fired three birdies on the way to a two-under-par 70 on Sunday (Monday AEDT) to finish two shots behind Spanish winner Carlota Ciganda.
The result equals world No.125 Smith's best finish, when she recorded a tie for second at the Kingsmill Championship in May 2014.
Seeking her first LPGA title, Smith started the tournament strongly, taking a share of the lead with Ciganda thanks to a five-under-par 67 opening round.
She birdied four of her first seven holes to gain a two-stroke lead after the second round before an even-par 72 the following day.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Smith stumbled with a bogey on the par-four eighth hole in the final round, but birdies on the second, 12th and 18th holes were enough to claim equal second and $US65,612 in prize money.
Ciganda hit four birdies and an eagle on the par-five second on the way to her second LPGA tour win in four starts after claiming the KEB-Hana Bank Championship a month ago in South Korea.
"I am very happy to be here and to get my second victory. It's wonderful to play here in Mexico and I honestly don't have any words," said Ciganda.
"I love the golf course, the people, it's an honour to be here.
"I've been playing really good all year long and to end this year with these two victories gives me a lot of confidence, I am very happy."
Smith tied with Americans Angela Stanford and third-round leader Austin Ernst, England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Karine Icher of France.
