[ 2010-1-11 10:06:27 | watches1013 ] 

          Byline: Elspeth Burnside                                                  SCOTLAND's Catriona Matthew had won tournaments in Australia and in Europe, but it was a victory in the Cup Noodles Hawaiian Classic at Kapolei on Saturday that really fulfilled a lifelong dream.                          Matthew joined Kathryn Marshall IWC Replica Watch and Janice Moodie in the record books as Scottish winners on the US-based LPGA, and she did it in style by leading from start to finish in tough, windy conditions that held little fear for someone who learned her trade on North Berwick's West Links.                          By adding a level par 72 to opening rounds of 67 and 71, Matthew's six-under-par total secured a three-shot victory, a $112,500 (pounds 77,600) prize and a Rolex watch that is part of the trappings for a first-time tour winner.                                       "Winning an LPGA event has always been my goal, and this is a great feeling," she said. "I've been playing well in recent weeks, and knew I was due a good tournament. The LPGA is home to all the best players in the world, and so this is where you really want to win."                          A three-time Curtis Cup player, Matthew turned professional in 1995 and immediately headed to America and has enjoyed a solid career. Last season, she passed the $1 million mark in earnings                          She scored her breakthrough win in the 1996 Australian Open, while her finest moment until the weekend was lifting the WPGA Championship of Europe in front of home fans at Gleneagles in 1998.                          "The wins in Australia and Scotland were very special, but I always had my eyes on an LPGA title," she added. "I've come close on several occasions, but I'm hoping that this will be the first of many."                                             Not that it was a straightforward final round for the 31-year-old. She led by two at the start, but was tied with her playing partner, the US Solheim Roger Dubuis Watch Cup player Nancy Scranton, with nine to play. But while Matthew held her nerve over the closing stretch, Scranton finished double-bogey, bogey.                          In the end it was Sweden's world No2, Annika Sorenstam, who snatched second place after a 70 for three-under 213, while Scranton's 74 left her having to settle for a share of third with fellow Americans Danielle Ammaccapane (69) and Wendy Ward (73).                          "It was nip and tuck in the final round until Nancy made a mess of the 17th and I moved two clear," said Matthew. "Once I got my drive away at the last I was able to enjoy it."                          This season, there was the added incentive to prove a point, having been controversially omitted from the European team that defeated America in the Solheim Cup at Loch Lomond last October. A member of the 1998 side, she was desperately disappointed to be overlooked by fellow Scot Dale Reid for one of the captain's five wild-card selections.                          Catriona and her caddie-husband Graeme, who celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary a week today, will enjoy a well-earned holiday this week with Catriona's Sydney-based brother, David, before heading to the Gold Coast for the Australian Masters.                          Moodie, who made her breakthrough by winning the ShopRite LPGA Classic last July, and Mhairi McKay finished tied for 25th place on one-over-par 217 after matching final rounds of 70, while Marshall, who was the first Scot to win an LPGA event in the 1995 Jamie Farr Classic, had a 73 for five-over-par 221.            
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