Karrie Webb will start her bid for a fourth Women's British Open title at St Andrews in some of her best form for years after claiming the Ladies European Masters title.
Webb produced two eagles in a blistering seven-under-par final round of 65 to win by one stroke from South African Ashleigh Simon at Denham in Buckinghamshire on Sunday.
It was the 38-year-old Australian great's third victory of the season, having claimed the Australian Ladies Masters in February and the US LPGA Tour's ShopRite Classic in June.
The last time the former world No.1 boasted that many wins in a single season was in 2006, when she won five events on the LPGA Tour.
World No.7 Webb came from three shots behind overnight leaders Simon, Caroline Masson and teenager Klara Spilkova to post a three-round total of 16-under-par 200 and claim the 60,000 euros ($A86,900) first prize.
The success in blustery but sunny conditions was the ideal warm-up for this week's British Open on the Old Course.
The seven-times major champion won the last of her three Women's British Open crowns 11 years ago but she'll take fresh confidence to the historic venue ahead of Thursday's first round.
"I came over here to get some tournament rounds under my belt, get some confidence going, get into the time zone and British conditions," said Webb.
"To win is just the icing on the cake.
"I'm very happy with how I played this week and I got more and more confident on the course as the week went on.
"I hadn't played the par-fives particularly well this week but, today, I played them well with two eagles. It's a great boost when conditions are tough."
Despite missing out on her third Ladies European Tour title, second-placed Simon said she was happy to have booked a spot in the Open.
"I can't be disappointed. I played really well today," Simon said.
"Conditions were very tough and, for Karrie to shoot 65, I take my hat off to her."
Fellow Australian Rebecca Artis of NSW carded a final round of 70 to finish tied 9th at eight-under-par, while ACT's Nikki Campbell ended with a share of 12th position at six-under.
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