Australian Stacey Keating has birdied the  first extra hole in a sudden-death play-off to secure her maiden  Ladies European Tour victory at the Tenerife Open.

Keating holed a five-footer for birdie on the 452-metre par-5  18th hole at Golf Las Americas after she tied on nine under par  with German Caroline Masson.

''It was a tough day out there and Caroline and I both played  well. It was nice to take it to a play-off and then get over the  line,'' said Keating.

The 26-year-old Victorian closed with a two-under 70 to come  from a stroke behind Masson but it was a close final round duel in  hot and windy conditions.

The pair tied for the lead after two holes and the lead  exchanged several times before Masson made a mistake in the  play-off by hitting her second shot into a water hazard.

Her third came up short in the rough while Keating hit a superb  approach shot to five feet short of the flag.

Keating said the victory would make amends for the massive  disappointment of the previous week at the Women's British Open,  where she was disqualified for signing for an incorrect score when  lying in a tie for 32nd.''I've probably had the worst week of my life and the best week  of my life in two weeks,'' she said.

Keating also paid tribute to her boyfriend and caddie Darren  Peters and to the support of her mentor, Karrie Webb.

''After the disappointment of last week, she's been great,''  Keating said.

''Her and Karen Lunn, I have to mention her as well. They've been  unbelievable.''Fellow Australian Nikki Garrett, who led after the first two rounds, shot a final round 70 to finish in fourth place.

- AAP

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