KIM Rostron produced some of the finest golf of her career to lift the English Women's Close Amateur Championship at a windy Saunton East in Devon with a 4 and 2 victory over Kate Burton.

It was her biggest triumph in what is building up into a fantastic season for the Clitheroe golfer.

A few weeks ago she picked up the Scottish Strokeplay title, was pipped in the final of the Lancashire Women's Championship and will represent Great Britain and Ireland next week.

Saturday's victory also qualified her to play for England in the European championships in Finland in July.

"I'm just delighted with the way everything's gone and it was terrific to win the English title," said 23-year-old Rostron.

"I played well all week and felt good.

"I did a lot of gym work in the winter which has improved my stamina. "Also I'm driving a lot longer and putting better too."

Her final drive on Saunton East's 16th measured 250 yards and was more than enough to close out the match against Burton.

Rostron led from the opening hole which she parred and another par on the second put her two up.

But it wasn't easy. Burton, who struck the flag three times in the opening seven holes with iron shots, rallied to get back to all square at the turn but a 45 ft birdie putt on the 10th restored Rostron's advantage. And this time she wouldn't let it slip.

She took the 11th and the 12th to establish a three-hole lead, halved 13, 14 and 15 (where a six-foot putt for victory just slipped by) and wrapped it up with that monster drive on 16 where she made the green in two and Burton played through.

Today she was playing in the Wilpshire Scratch at Wilpshire Golf Club.

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