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.

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.