YORK'S Kirsty Taylor led from start to finish and clinched her first European Tour win in ten years at the Wales Ladies' Champion-ship yesterday.

The 34-year-old opened with a Tour record 61 and started the final round four shots ahead.

She suffered a few moments of doubt before posting a 75 for a 14-under total of 274, three shots better than two more of Britain's best, Laura Davies and Trish Johnson.

After seven bogeys in the first 12 holes at the Machynys Peninsula near Llanelli, York Golf Club member Taylor suddenly found herself tied with playing partner Johnson with five holes to play.

But a birdie from 30 feet at the 14th and another at the next - where Johnson hit into water and made a bogey -settled the nerves.

Taylor won £52,500, but the biggest reward was ending the years of waiting for the breakthrough win.

"At times, it has been frustrating," admitted the player who has had two career seconds, most notably at the 2000 Weetabix Women's British Open.

"Ten and a half years - it's a long time. At the moment, I feel absolutely numb.

"The putt at the 14th was huge. Trish was inside me and more likely to make the birdie that would have put her ahead. Instead, it was me in front again."

In addition to the £35,000 joint runners-up cheque, the consolation for Johnson was a rise to seventh in the Solheim Cup rankings - the final automatic selection spot with one tournament in Finland still to count.

Updated: 12:40 Monday, August 15, 2005