The Edinburgh University player put together a three-round 227 to win by two strokes from English internationals Kim Andrew and Rebecca Hudson.

Nicholson, who is a member of the LGU's elite training squad for the Vagliano Trophy match, laid the basis for her victory with an opening three-under 72 over the New Course on Saturday. That gave her a five-stroke lead over Kirsty Fisher of England and Ireland's Suzanne O'Brien.

The final two rounds were played yesterday over the Old Course where former Scottish champion Anne Laing moved up to challenge with a three-under 73 against Nicholson's 78. O'Brien slipped back with a 79 and Fisher could do no better than an 81 to share the 158 mark with another Scot, Heather Stirling from Bridge of Allan.

The final round developed into a three-way battle involving Nicholson, Andrew and Hudson and, although the two English golfers staged a late challenge with rounds of 73, they were unable to close the gap.

ST RULE TROPHY (St Andrews - 1st rd New Course, 2nd & 3rd rds Old Course).- Final Totals: 227-L Nicholson (Edinburgh Univ) 72, 78, 77; 229-K Andrew (Clitheroe) 80, 76, 73; R Hudson (Wheatley) 81, 75, 73; 230-S O'Brien (Milltown) 77, 79, 74; 232-A Laing (Edinburgh Univ) 82, 73, 77; 236-H Stirling (Bridge of Allan) 79, 79, 78; 237-V Laing (Musselburgh) 80, 81, 76; K Fisher (Royal Lytham) 77, 81, 79; 238-A Coffey (Warrenpoint) 82, 79, 77; J Smith (Gullane) 81, 79, 78; 239-V Melvin (Clydebank & Dist) 81, 78, 80; 241-L Mackay (Stirling Univ) 86, 79, 76; N Nijenhuis (Holland) 82, 79, 80; 243-H Kavanagh (Grange) 83, 81, 79; L Anderson (Tain) 80, 84, 79; L Wessberg (Sweden) 82, 78, 83; A Rose (Stirling) 82, 81, 80; 244-Y Cassidy (Dundalk) 82, 84, 78; N Reis (Sweden) 81, 78, 85; 246-J Van Beek (Holland) 81, 82, 83; A de Goederen (Holland) 81, 80, 85; 247-M McGreevy (Rossmore) 85, 83, 79; N Evans (Pleasington) 83, 84, 80; 248-E Dowdall (Wexford) 83, 81, 84.

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