Eleanor Pilgrim blew a fantastic chance to take her maiden tour title after squandering a two shot advantage at the KLM Ladies Open yesterday, before losing in a playoff.

Instead France's Virginie Lagoutte claimed her maiden Tour victory in the 165,000 euro KLM Ladies Open at Kennemer G&CC, after defeating Pilgrim at the second extra hole.

Both Lagoutte and Pilgrim tied with scores of one under par 215 after 54 holes. Lagoutte carded rounds of 73, 75 and 67 to claim the 24,750 in prize winnings, while Pilgrim recorded 74, 70, 71.

Pilgrim had a two shot lead with three holes to play and looked safely within reach of the title until she dropped two shots at the final two holes, like the French woman playing four groups ahead of her, to force a play-off.

The four players tied for third place at one over par included Sweden's Sara Jelander, who carded a final round 66, France's Marine Monet Melocco, who had a 68, Amanda Molke Leth from Denmark, who had a 69 and England's Lora Fairclough, who had a level par 72.

Lagoutte began the day four shots off the lead but the 26 year old from le Grau de Roi near Montpellier made the early running with birdies at the second, fourth, fifth and ninth holes to turn in 32.

She then picked up shots at the 10th, 12th and 16th holes and only back peddled at the 17th and 18th, where she chipped and two putted.

Pilgrim, who birdied the 6th, 8th and 10th holes, dropped her first shot at the par-3 17th after her tee shot found the greenside bunker and she failed to get up and down.

Then at the par-4 18th hole she pushed her tee shot into the rough, laid up short and chipped and two putted for bogey.

In the play off she made the same mistake at the second extra hole with Lagoutte safely on the green in two, 15 feet away.

When she failed to get up and down Lagoutte two putted for her par to seal the victory.

Pilgrim was consoled after she had lost the playoff by her sister Nicola, who had been caddying for her throughout the tournament and is likely to continue doing so.

Pilgrim has now failed to capitalise on a third round lead twice this year, having led the Tenerife Open after three rounds in April.