KIRSTY Taylor enjoyed the finest moment of her golfing career by finishing joint second in the Weetabix British Women's Open at Royal Birkdale.

And the £50,712 was by far her biggest pay cheque.

The Clitheroe-born professional piled on the pressure with a great six-under-par 67 -- but Sweden's Sophie Gustafson survived a nerve-wracking final day to hold on to win.

With a birdie at the last in a final round 75, the 26-year-old Swede - who had started the day seven ahead - finished on 10-under-par 282 and won the £120,000 first prize by two shots from Taylor, Americans Becky Iverson and Meg Mallon and Sweden's Liselotte Neumann.

For Taylor, a brilliant six-birdie round made it easily the best result in her six-year professional career.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," said the former Curtis Cup player.

"This week is the reward for hard work with my coach Jane Forrest and I'll also enjoy the financial reward!"