South African Connie Chen fired a superb final round of three-under-par 69 in hot and breezy conditions to earn her first Ladies European Tour victory at the Tenerife Open de España Femenino in the Canary Islands.

The 21-year-old from Pretoria ended on 12-under-par and two strokes clear of home favourite Carlota Ciganda after four rounds, with Beth Allen of the United States a stroke further behind in third and England’s Charley Hull in solo fourth place.

The glamorous 28-year-old Russian carded six birdies and three bogeys in hot and breezy conditions at Golf Costa Adeje to end the day on seven under par ahead of three other players.

Scotland´s Kylie Walker (71), Welshwoman Amy Boulden (69) and South African Connie Chen (70) all sit on six under but Solheim Cup winners Carlota Ciganda of Spain and Charley Hull from England lurk a stroke further behind.

The stunning sea-side course seems to suit Balikoeva´s game as her best finishes on the Ladies European Tour in 2008 and 2009, of tied fifth and equal 24th respectively, were recorded on the same golf course.

England´s Trish Johnson credited a red hot putter as she shot a seven-under-par 65 to set the pace in the Tenerife Open de España Femenino at Costa Adeje in the Canary Islands. The recent Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open champion fired eight birdies and one bogey in hot and sunny conditions to establish an early two stroke lead over South African Stacy Lee Bregman.