Castlewarden’s Lauren Walsh continued her impressive collegiate career in the US with a runner-up finish in the UCF Challenge at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando.

Seeking her third win on US soil in the space of three and a half months, the Wake Forest University star from went into the final round tied for the lead with Houston’s Karen Fredgaard on seven-under-par after rounds of 69 and 68 in cool, blustery conditions.

Scores

But she had to settle for second in the end as she closed with a two-over 74 to Fredgaard’s 72 to finish two shots behind the Danish player on five-under in winds gusting to 30 mph.

She went to the turn in three-over 38 to Fredgaard’s 37 and while both players picked up two birdies on the back nine, the battle for the title was settled on the last two holes.

Both players bogeyed the par-three 17th to leave the Dane one clear playing the par-five 18th and she finished with a birdie four to Walsh’s par to win by two strokes.

Douglas’ Sara Byrne tied for 19th on three-over.

Walsh moves up one stoke to 41st in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.