WOMEN’S OPEN: Jutanugarn makes history

Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn poses with the trophy after winning the Ricoh Women's British Open. PHOTO: Tony Marshall/Getty Images.

NEW World No.3 Ariya Jutanugarn has grabbed a huge slice of golfing history by becoming the first Thai player – male or female – to win a major golf championship with her three stroke victory in the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

With rounds of 65, 69, 66 and 72, the 20-year-old reached 16 under around the Woburn Marquess’ course to defeat South Korea’s Mirim Lee and 2014 champion Mo Martin, from the United States.

Jutanugarn's game from tee to green was particularly strong at Woburn.
PHOTO: Tony Marshall/Getty Images.

American Stacy Lewis, another former champion, was a further two strokes back in outright fourth, with Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, South Korea’s Ha-Na Jang and Queenslander Karrie Webb all sharing fifth place.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

Jutanugarn began the final round with a two-stroke advantage over Lee and it appeared as if she would run away with the trophy after her lead increased to six strokes midway through the front nine.

Even a soft bogey at par-4 9^th hole had Jutanugarn heading into the back nine with a four stroke lead.

Hall of Famer Karrie Webb was the best of the Australians finishing T5.
PHOTO: Richard Martin-Roberts/Getty Images.

But Jutanugarn made it interesting for her closest pursuers when she hit her approach over the back of the 13^th green and chipped back across the green. A second chip shot failed to get close and two putts later she was pencilling in a double bogey and her lead was reduced to one stroke, after Lee had started to apply some pressure with a trio of birdies starting at the 10^th.

Martin’s putter seemed to run cold over the back nine and Lee looked like the only genuine threat, but Jutanugarn all but sealed the title with a terrific birdie on the par-3 17^th when she rolled in a putt from more than six metres. The Thai parred the last for a closing 72 and the win.

“I felt really stressed because I missed a lot of birdie putts today. I just wanted to make one. My goal was to win a Major, so I hope I can inspire some players in Thailand,” she said.

Having let the year’s first major – the ANA Inspiration – slip through her fingers back in April, Jutanugarn went on a red-hot run of form winning three tournaments in as many weeks. This latest victory will see her rise to World No.3 behind New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Canadian Brooke Henderson, and will certainly put her among the favourites for a gold medal in Rio in three weeks time.

Webb’s closing round of 71 could have been better but missed birdie chances on the outward half resulted in nine consecutive pars as she tread water behind the leaders. That said, her T5 result is the 41-year-old Hall of Famer’s best finish in a major championship since finishing second at The Evian Championship in 2014.

Fellow Queenslander Sarah Jane Smith was the next best of the Australians, closing with a two under 70 to grab a share of 11^th place. Rio-bound duo Minjee Lee (69) and Su Oh (76) finished T27 and T73 respectively.