SWEDEN'S Maria Hjorth successfully defended her title at the KSPoker.com Ladies English Open at Chart Hills at Biddenden.

The 31-year-old from Falun fired a final round 67 (-5) for a 12-under-par total (204), and won by a shot over Finland’s Minea Blomqvist, who had a final round of 69 (-3).

Wales’ Becky Brewerton finished joint third at ten-under with England’s Laura Davies after they both carded a pair of 70s, (-2).

Next was Kent’s Karen Stupples who had the best score of the day with a five-under-par 66 which took her to nine-under-par for the tournament.

Sweden’s Linda Wessberg and Scotland’s Janice Moodie finished tied in sixth position at eight-under-par.

Hjorth, who finished with a final round 64 to take the lowest score for a 54-hole total at the event last year, was feeling more relaxed this time around, despite a tighter contest for the title.

"At this time last year I had been through a tough 12 months, but this year, I was feeling much more relaxed and happy with my game," said Hjorth.

"Coming down the last at 12 under, I thought I’d be in the play off and I didn’t drop any shots, which was the most important thing, as it’s easy to lose a tournament.

"I’m so happy to come back here to England, because there is so much support out here for women’s golf and the weather turned out nice. I think this is one of the best tournaments we have."

Brewerton, who last year had three runner-up finishes on the Ladies European Tour, needed to birdie the last to force a play-off, as did Blomqvist.

But Brewerton dropped a shot at the last under pressure in front of the immense galleries while Blomqvist managed to save par.

Blomqvist was also delighted with her runner up spot. She said: "It’s great to be back up there on the leader board but Maria had a great score, so I’m looking forward to defending my title next week in Hungary," she said.

RESULTS:

1 204 (-12) Maria Hjorth (Sweden) 68 69 67

2 205 (-11) Minea Blomqvist (Canal+) 67 69 69

3= 206 (-10) Laura Davies (England) 67 69 70

Becky Brewerton (Wales) 68 68 70

5 207 (-9) Karen Stupples (England) 70 71 66

6= 208 (-8) Linda Wessberg (Sweden) 70 70 68

Janice Moodie (Scotland) 69 69 70

8= 209 ( -7) Lynnette Brooky (Canon) 70 69 70

Karen Margrethe Juul (Denmark) 69 68 72

10= 210 (-6) Cecilia Ekelundh (Sweden) 73 70 67

Patricia Meunier Lebouc (Lacoste) 74 67 69

Iben Tinning (Denmark) 71 69 70

Trish Johnson (England) 68 71 71