Davidson ‘really chuffed’ in Adelaide

Melrose-born Karis Davidson was “really chuffed” after taking her earnings as a rookie professional to nearly £40,000 with a praiseworthy performance in the ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open.

Whileprideofplaceatkooyonga Golf Club in Adelaide went to Korea’s Jin Young Ko as she became just the second player in LPGA history to make a winning debut on the circuit with a 14-under total of 274, 19-year-old Davidson handled the biggest test of her career so far in impressive fashion.

Helped by an eagle and three birdies in a row on the back nine, she closed with a two-under-par 70 for a level-par 288 total, picking up £5,695 to add to the £33,000 the Queenslandbased player earned for finishing second in the Oates Vic Open a fortnight earlier.

Davidson, pictured, who will now turn her attention to playing on the Japan LPGA Tour, said: “I’ve got a lot of goals this season but probably keeping my card in Japan is the main one.” Aberdonian Michele Thomson started her final round with an eagle but had to settle for a 73 as she finished in a tie for 48th on three over. “I’ve done myself proud and I’m happy with how I played,” said the 29-year-old. “I just made a few too many mistakes out there and that’s the reason why I’m three over and not three-under.”