BIG DAY IS NOW HERE FOR ANNA
Aisle savour this, says Nordqvist
ANNA NORDQVIST finally had her big celebration in Scotland by winning the AIG Women’s Open – a year after her tartan wedding was postponed because of Covid-19.
The Swede won her third Major by a single shot after a nerve-jangling finish at Carnoustie yesterday. And she celebrated her “most special” victory with a hug from her Scottish husband, former amateur star Kevin Mcalpine.
They had been due to tie the knot in Scotland last year but had to delay because of the pandemic. Instead they wed in March in Arizona with friends and family on Zoom. Nordqvist said: “We have postponed our real wedding, the one with friends and family, to next summer. It’s going to be about 20 minutes away from here in a castle. I can’t wait to walk down the aisle again in
Scotland next year.”
Nordqvist, who had gone nearly four years without winning after contracting a virus in
2017, banks the record prize money of
£640,000.
“I’ve been waiting for this for a while,” said the 34-yearold, who carded a 69 after a closing par to finish on 12 under. “I haven’t won one in a couple of years. There have been a lot of downs since then, which makes it even sweeter for me.
“My husband Kevin (son of former Dundee United keeper Hamish Mcalpine) lives 20 minutes away from here and this place is truly special. This is the most special one.”
The 2018 champion Georgia Hall, who shot 73 on Saturday, finished tied for second after a closing 67. Scotland’s Louise Duncan (below) ended up as top amateur in a share of 10th.
Ireland’s Leona Maguire finished in a tie for 13th place following a final round of 71 (one under) and a six under par total, just six shots adrift of the winner.
European captain Catriona Matthew will name her six wild cards for the Solheim Cup today.
American Johannes Veerman won his first European Tour title at the D+D Real Czech Masters by two shots after a closing 68.
Henrik Stenson’s challenge ended when he found the water on 16 but his fourth place was his first
top-10 finish for two years.