Australians Rebecca Artis and Bree Arthur finished in the top 10 of the LACOSTE Ladies Open de France, which was won by Spaniard Azahara Munoz.

Munoz, ranked 33 on the Rolex Women’s World Golf rankings started the final round one shot back from the trio of French players at the top.

The 25-year-old from Malaga saved par on the par-four 18th hole, getting up and down from the back of the green, to win by a stroke from the French pair of Gwladys Nocera and Valentine Derrey, who both had 67s at Chantaco Golf Club. Rounds of 68, 65, 68 and 65 gave Muñoz a winning total of 266, 14-under-par.

This was Muñoz’s third career victory after she won the 2009 Madrid Ladies Masters on her professional debut on the LET followed by the 2012 Sybase Match Play Championship on the LPGA. In addition to the first prize of €37,500, she took home a Richard Mille – RM 007 watch, worth €38,500.

Despite an amazing six weeks since winning The Solheim Cup as part of the record-breaking team in Colorado, an emotional Muñoz said: “It’s been a long year and I’ve been playing really bad and since Solheim it’s got much better and I’m just really happy to have won here. Lacoste is one of my best sponsors so I’m really happy to be here and holding the trophy.”

Derrey and Nocera were also strong on the front nine, making five and four birdies respectively. However, Derrey dropped shots on 13 and 14, while Nocera mixed a birdie on 15 with dropped shots on 11 and crucially, the par-3 16th.

Both players needed a birdie on the final hole to tie and force a play-off, but came up short in front of a large gallery of home supporters.

With Joanna Klatten a stroke further back in fourth and Karine Icher in a share of fifth place with South African Lee-Anne Pace on 10-under-par, there were four French players within the top six places

With regards to the Aussie contingent, Artis fired an impressive final round of six-under-par 64 on the Chantaco Golf Course to finish at nine-under-par and outright seventh. The recent winner on tour in Sweden got off to the perfect start with a birdie and then posted four consecutive birdies from the fourth to go out in five-under-par. Unfortunately she only posted one more on the back but it was a great round overall.

Artis has now posted four top 10 results, including her win in her last five LET events.

Arthur also played well during the final round. She posted a 66 to finish one shot back from her fellow countrywomen and finish outright eighth. Lindsey Wright signed for a 68 to finished tied for 17th at five-under-par, while Sarah Kemp finished a further two shots back and in 19th position.

Defending champion Stacey Keating couldn’t get things rolling this week, she finished a very credible tie for 29th at one-over. Nikki Campbell had a last round she would rather forget, starting the day in the top 10 she posted a 78 to fall back into a tie for 34th place at two-over. Alison Whitaker (69) finished tied 41st at four-over, while Stephanie Na (73) finished tied for 51st at 11-over.