Golf: Alfredsson triumphant: Briton overhauled by Swede's driving finish

A BURST of four birdies on the last eight holes saw Sweden's Helen Alfredsson sweep past Britain's Lora Fairclough to a three- stroke victory in the Evian Masters in France yesterday. Fairclough finished joint second with Australia's Sarah Gautrey.

Alfredsson had been two strokes adrift of Fairclough after reaching the turn in 38, but the Lancashire player had no answer when the Swede swept home in a stunning 32 for a one-under-par aggregate of 287.

Fairclough, second in Portugal last month, assured herself of second spot by holing from eight feet for a birdie at the long 18th hole.

EVIAN MASTERS (France) Leading final scores (GB or Irl unless stated): 287 H Alfredsson (Swe) 71 73 73 70. 290 S Gautrey (Aus) 73 71 77 69; L Fairclough 68 72 77 73. 291 F Descampe (Bel) 73 74 72 72. 294 V Goetze (US) 74 73 73 74; T Johnson 72 71 74 77. 295 K Marshall 72 75 77 71; S Mendiburu (Fra) 74 72 74 75; T Hanson (US) 72 73 73 77. 296 L Davies 76 75 70 75; L Lambert (Aus) 71 76 73 76; S Prosser 71 75 71 79.

Ford Women's Order of Merit,

Sporting Digest, page 31