Park claims Women’s British, Tiger makes strides
Inbee Park claimed her seventh major title on Sunday by seeing off the challenge of fellow South Korean Ko Jin-young to win the Women’s British Open at Turnberry.
The world No. 1, 27, shot seven birdies and an eagle during a seven-under 65 – a joint course record.
This gave her a three-shot victory over 20-year-old Ko, whose debut major ended with a 71 to leave her nine under.
Park, who has won six of the past 14 majors, is three shy of Annika Sorenstam’s modern-day record of 10.
“It feels great, this is something I have been dreaming of all my life,” she said. “I finally reached my goal. It’s just a relief. I’m so happy with everything.
“I can’t really say what the next goal is because this is the one I set for my career. There are a lot of legendary players I should look up to. For now I should relax and enjoy this moment.”
Meanwhile, Troy Merritt held firm and finished with a flourish to claim his first PGA Tour title with a three-stroke win on Sunday at the Quicken Loans National at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia.
The 29-year-old Merritt, ranked 180th in the world, clinched victory with a laser shot off the tee at the par-three 16th for a three-foot birdie, and then rolled in a 35-foot birdie putt at the last to cap a 67 for an 18-under-par 266 total.
Tournament host Tiger Woods birdied five of the first 10 holes, including a 42-foot birdie putt at the par-three ninth, but then made bogeys on three of the next four.
He answered with an eight-foot birdie putt at 17 but settled for a 68 to finish in a tie for 18th place on 8-under 276, his lowest 72 holes in relation to par at a PGA event since 2013.
“Felt like I made some big strides,” Woods said of the week. “It was a mixed bag as far as results, but the fact I had total control of the golf ball was nice.”
Woods, a 14-time major champion, has slumped to 266th in world rankings due to injuries and swing changes.
He has 79 career PGA Tour titles, three shy of Sam Snead’s alltime record, but has not won a title since 2013 and has not won a major since the 2008 US Open.