Spaniard Azahara Munoz wins in Marbella

Local hero Azahara Munoz held her nerve over the closing holes to win the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open in Marbella.

The 28-year-old, who lives in the nearby town of San Pedro Alcantara, posted a closing two-under-par 70 to edge out American Beth Allen by a solitary shot.

It was her fourth European Tour success but clearly the most emotional, describing the moment as "Amazing. A victory is always a victory and it's nice but winning at home is incredible.

"You know, having everyone here, my family, my friends, it means everything."

However, runner-up Allen will be disappointed at the way she allowed first prize to slip from her grasp at Aloha Golf Club.

The 34-year-old Californian teed-up on Sunday as the 54-hole leader, and she reached the turn in just 33 strokes to extend her advantage to three.

But a back nine of 39 - which included a bogey-five at the final hole - allowed Munoz to cross the finishing line ahead of her.

On 18, Allen pulled her shot left into the lake and was forced to take a drop, which ultimately allowed Munoz the luxury of taking two putts from seven feet for the title.

The Spanish winner played solidly all day, including a run of 10 straight pars from the fourth.

She drew level for a second time on the par-three 17th, thanks to a 25-footer for birdie.

Although Munoz is now based at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, she confessed: "I love playing at home and finally we got this tournament back and hopefully for many more years.

"To be able to play here and just sleep at home, it's amazing. It's been a hard week and at the beginning of the week I was so stressed out and so anxious.

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"It is amazing to win in front of everybody and so many people came out, so I'm really grateful to them.

"I had so many opportunities and I hit so many putts that didn't go in, but I kept telling myself to stay patient. Finally, I made such a good putt on the 17th."

Allen, who was chasing a second tournament success on the Ladies European Tour, lost her way on the 12th when she visited water for the first time during her final round of 72.

She admitted: "Obviously I'm super disappointed, especially having had a three-shot lead going into the back nine.

"I just didn't play very well on the back nine and she did, so it's fine. It's second but it's not the outcome I wanted."