Ladies European Tour

Meghan MacLaren narrowly missed out on her second Ladies European Tour victory of the year, and fourth in her career, as she was beaten in a play-off by Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux in the Ladies Italian Open.

The Wellingborough pro, who won the Australian Women’s Classic in April, carded six birdies in an opening 69 at Margara GC, before dropping just one stroke in a second round 70.

Trailing by three shots going into the final day, MacLaren found her very best form over the closing stretch as she birdied the 10th, 12th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes to tie for the lead.

The 28-year-old added another birdie on the first hole of the play-off, which also included Italian amateur Alessandra Fanali, but it wasn’t quite enough for victory as Metraux snatched the top prize with a 20-footer for eagle.

Fellow Northamptonshire professional Charley Hull, meanwhile, finished in the top 20 in a major for the 15th time in her career as she carded scores of 75, 68, 70 and 74 to claim 20th spot in the US Women’s Open at Southern Pines GC.