Ariya makes big splash
ARIYA JUTANUGARN became the first Thai to win a Major tournament as she held her nerve at the Ricoh Women’s British Open to finish three shots ahead of Mo Martin and Mirim Lee.
Jutanugarn, who blew a golden chance to win the first Major of the year at the ANA Inspiration in California in April when bogeying the final three holes, carded a final-round level-par 72 to finish 16 under for the tournament at Woburn’s Marquess course.
The 20-year-old led by two shots overnight following a third-round 66, but her maiden triumph looked in doubt when she double-bogeyed the 13th after South Korean playing partner Lee completed a hat-trick of birdies at the 10th, 11th and 12th to reduce a five-shot deficit to one stroke.
American Martin, who parred the last 10 holes, also closed to within two shots of the lead, but Jutanugarn responded with a birdie at the 17th to move two shots clear with one to play and made par at the last to secure the title, while Lee dropped a shot to finish tied for second.
Martin and Lee both finished on 13 under, while American Stacy Lewis finished outright fourth, two shots further back on 11 under. Jutanugarn, whose family ran on to the 18th fairway in celebration and showered her with water, is among the favourites to follow up by taking gold at the Rio Olympics. “It was hard,” she said. “I felt a little bit nervous at times. My mother cried at the end. She said thank you, and that made my day.
“This victory is really important for me and Thai golf. I hope I can inspire some players in Thailand.”
Scotland’s Catriona Matthew carded a oneover final-round 73 after four birdies and five bogeys – she bogeyed three of the last six holes – to finish tied for fifth on nine under with South Korean Ha Na Jang and Australia’s Carrie Webb.
“I had a couple of slack shots on the two par threes on the front nine and it was a bit of a struggle from there,” said Matthew.