Catriona Matthew tapped in from a couple of inches for her ninth career win. Photo by Tristan Jones (LET)Scotland’s Catriona Matthew held off a dramatic back nine challenge from defending champion and Solheim Cup team mate Suzann Pettersen to clinch a one-stroke, wire to wire victory in the Ladies Irish Open at Killeen Castle.

Scotland’s Carly Booth is just two strokes behind compatriot Catriona Matthew in the Ladies irish Open at Killeen Castle. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieNorwegian world No 6 Suzann Pettersen can make like hell for the leaders as she chases down her third Ladies Irish Open title in five years at Killeen Castle today.

Leona Maguire in action on the opening day of the Ladies Irish Open at Killeen Castle. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieWhile it’s said that the key to happiness is a bad memory several member of the European side that recorded that sensational Solheim Cup victory over the United States last September might beg to differ.

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen can’t wait to compete for the love of the game in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Pushing your luck is never a good idea but Suzann Pettersen loves a challenge and she’s determined to successfully defend the €350,000 Ladies Irish Open title at Killeen Castle over the next three days.

Suzann Pettersen celebrating Europe’s Solheim Cup win last year. Picture Jenny Matthews www.golffile.ieNorway’s Suzann Pettersen will return to the scene of her Solheim Cup winning heroics when she defends her Ladies Irish Open title at Killeen Castle next month.

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen fired an stunning final round 64 to romp to a six stroke win at the Ladies Irish Open supported by Fáilte Ireland at Killeen Castle.

The world No 3 finished ahead of Spain’s Azahara Munoz on 18 under par as she followed her course record 63 on Saturday and eight under par closing effort.

Sixteen year old amateurs Lisa and Leona Maguire made the cut with ease as Norway’s Suzann Pettersen shot a course record 63 to grab a share of the lead entering the final round of the Ladies Irish Open at Killeen Castle.

Anne-Lise Caudal plays her approach to the 18th at Killeen Castle. Plicture by Tristan Jones.France’s Anne-Lise Caudal and American Alison Walshe led the field by one shot after the first round of the Ladies Irish Open supported by Fáilte Ireland at Killeen Castle, Dunsany, Co Meath.

The pair carded six-under-par 66s to lie ahead of South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace, Sweden’s Maria Hjorth and Spain’s Azahara Munoz Guijarro. Click here for scores.

Ladies Irish Open boss Roddy Carr avoided some Chinese torture to deliver a world class field at Killeen Castle next month.

The €400,000 curtain-raiser for September’s Solheim Cup could have been turned into a damp squib as it clashed with a $2 million US women’s tour event in China.

But Chinese red tape has tied the Imperial Springs LPGA event up in knots and allowed Carr to sign up US stars Christina Kim, Angela Stanford and teenage sensation Lexi Thompson to accompany major winner Stacey Lewis at the Meath venue from August 5-7.

Sweden’s Maria Hjorth battled tough conditions to shoot a five-under-par 67 and lead the AIB Ladies Irish Open by one shot from England’s Melissa Reid as Irish twins Lisa and Leona Maguire impressed with a matching pair of level par 72s.

Killeen Castle

Three of the world’s top 10 and host of top Americans will headline a world class field at this summer’s AIB Ladies Irish Open.  

World No 3 Suzann Pettersen will be joined by Anna Nordqvist and American star Angela Stanford at Killeen Castle from August 6-8.

Galway born Alison Walshe could be Europe’s secret weapon in the 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle.

The Boston based star, 25, won six points out of six for the Americans in last year’s Curtis Cup rout of Mary McKenna’s Great Britain and Ireland side.

But she’s not eligible for the US Solheim Cup squad because she was born in Galway and lived in Tuam until she was five. And that means she can tee it up for Europe as she has an Irish passport and earned her Ladies European Tour card this week

Rebecca Coakley believes she has the game and the confidence to win on tour become the Ireland’s first Solheim Cup player at Killeen Castle in 2011.

The 28-year old Carlow native has re-invented herself over the past two years and after three top 10s in her last four starts, she’s beginning to believe that she can make Alison Nicholas’s 12-strong side to face Michelle Wie and Co at the luxury Jack Nicklaus design near Dunsany in Co Meath.

Italy’s Diana Luna cruised to her first win for five years in the fog - delayed AIB Ladies Irish Open at Portmarnock Links.

But it could be the last time the event is held at the north Dublin venue with organisers seriously considering a move to Solheim Cup venue Killeen Castle next year.

Teenage twins Leona and Lisa Maguire missed the cut in the €500,000 AIB Ladies Irish Open as big-hitting Swede Sophie Gustafson moved into contention for an incredible sixth victory on Irish soil at Portmarnock Links.

Four time major winner Laura Davies and Irish amateur legend Mary McKenna have seen just about everything in their storied careers in the professional and amateur game.

Lisa MaguireYet they know they could witness the beginning of something special when the 14-year old Maguire twins, Lisa and Leona, rub shoulders with the cream of the European women's professional golf in the first round of the €500,000 AIB Ladies Irish Open at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links today.

Twin sensations Lisa and Leona Maguire will get a chance to emulate Shane Lowry in next month’s AIB Ladies Irish Open at Portmarnock Links.

Ireland has landed the 2011 Solheim Cup - thanks to the massive success of the Ryder Cup.

Jack Nicklaus at Killeen CastleIn a major coup, the Ladies European Tour has decided to bring the biennial clash between the top women professionals from the US and Europe to the course that Jack built - the Nicklaus designed Killeen Castle in Co Meath.

Ireland beat off stiff competition from England, Italy, Norway, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Spain to host the biggest team event in women's golf.

And in a double whammy for Ireland, the Ladies European Tour also agreed to bring back the Ladies Irish Open in 2008 in a five-year combined deal with Failte Ireland worth €5 million.