Steinhauer claimed the title for the third time, but for the first time as a major. When she won in 1998 and 1999, the event was not considered a major championship.

A hop across to Sweden saw in effect a duel between Annika Sorenstam and Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa, the respective numbers one and two in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings.

Playing at her home course, Bro-Balsta Golf Club, in Bro, near Stockholm, Sorenstam kept the advantage, but she was tested by Ochoa until the 72nd hole. Sorenstam won with a birdie and promptly jumped into the lake with her mother, Gunilla and her sister, Charlotta.

Continuing the Swedish trend, Linda Wessberg became the fifth first time winner in the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe at Machynys Pen-insula. Steered to victory with the help of a local caddy, she beat off a fast charging Davies, who finished second.

Davies was nominally the defending champion at the SAS Masters in Norway – having won the title when it was last contested at Oslo GC in 2002. She cruised to a six shot victory and was back in the winners’ circle once again after more than two years.

Virginie Lagoutte, having finished third the previous week, won the Finnair Masters in Finland in September. It was her second LET victory and the sixth French win of the year.

Meanwhile Karen Magrethe Juul gave the home crowds something to cheer about by becoming the Tour’s sixth first time winner at the Nykredit Masters in her native Denmark.

Sophie Gustafson, having been inspired by Davies’ victory, came back to Europe to claim the Siemens Austrian Ladies Open, this earning the 20 points necessary for Lifetime Membership of the Tour.