DUBAI: Iben Tinning of Denmark scripted a fairytale ending to her full-time professional golf career when she won the Dubai Ladies Masters with a birdie on the final hole. At the Majlis course of Emirates Golf Club, the former European No. 1, playing her last competitive event as a Ladies European Tour member, closed with a round of three-under par 69 for a tournament total of 11-under par 278 to take the honors, two shots ahead of Sweden's Anna Nordqvist. England's Melissa Reid finished in sole third position after making a bogey on the final hole, while first-round leader Florentyna Parker of England and LPGA Tour regular Christina Kim were tied fourth at six-under par 282. American Michelle Wie saved her best for the last round, moving to joint sixth place at five-under 283 following the day's best round of five-under par 67. She was joined by the 2009 champion and world No7 In Kyung-Kim on the same score. After collecting the biggest check of her career (75,000 euros), a delighted Tinning said she could barely come to terms with how her time on the Tour had climaxed. “I still can't believe I won and it's just amazing,” purred Tinning, who is due to resume her studies for a sports psychology degree. “I really tried to keep strong out there and it was tough sometimes but I cannot believe this. In terms of finishing my career on a high, nothing can beat this.” Tinning insisted that there would be no going back on her plans. “No, no. It's not an option. I am on so many painkillers, it's just not fun anymore,” she said. Lee-Anne Pace, meanwhile, won the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit Saturday, fending off a challenge from England's Laura Davies. The 29-year-old Pace is the first South African to top the women's money list. Although she struggled to an 11-over total of 299 in Dubai, the 56th-ranked Pace won her first tournament on the tour in Switzerland in June and then four more to take the money lead. Davies, who stood second in the money list coming into Dubai, needed a top-two finish to overtake Pace. But she shot a 3-over 75 on the first day to effectively end the title race. Davies finished with a 1-over total of 289 which puts her in a tie for 19th with six players still out on the course. Gates leads in Australia In Brisbane, Bobby Gates will be bidding to become the first US winner of the Australian PGA Championship in more than three decades when he takes a one-stroke lead into Sunday's final round. Gates carded a one-under 71 Saturday for a three-round total of 12-under 204 at the $1.48 million OneAsia Tour event. The American leads Australian veteran Peter Senior and compatriot Aaron Townsend, who are at 11-under. Japan's Akio Sadakata shot a five-under 67 to share fourth position with Andre Stolz and Peter Fowler at 10-under. Should he win, Gates is also almost certain to top the PGA Tour of Australasia's Order of Merit which would give him a start in the US Open and the Cadillac Championship, one of the four World Golf Championships (WGC) events. The win would also give him entry into the Bridgestone Invitational, another WGC event, and comes on top of recently earning his US PGA Tour card for 2011. Michael clings to lead In South Africa, South African rookie Anthony Michael overcame a disastrous start to hold a one-shot lead Saturday after three rounds of the Alfred Dunhill Championship. The 25-year-old from Johannesburg who honed his golf skills on the American university circuit bogeyed three of the first seven holes at the 6,631m Leopard Creek Country Club 400km east of Johannesburg. But the leader since the opening round regained his composure and a couple of back-nine birdies earned him a one-under 71 and a three-round total of 206 in an event co-sanctioned by the European Tour and South African Sunshine Tour. Breathing down his neck are defending champion Pablo Martin of Spain, whose 68 included two eagles, and South Africa giant Dawie van der Walt, who birdied the par-five final hole for a round of 72 in breezy conditions. Alex Haindl (72) and former winner Charl Schwartzel (69) share fourth place on 209 and fellow South African Thomas Aiken lies alone on 211 after the best round of the day - a five-under 67 - lifted him into contention. Among those well placed at the halfway stage of the opening 2011 Road to Dubai event who fell away were Englishman Robert Rock (75) and Norwegian Marius Thorp (77) on a course ranked the best in South Africa.
