Ariya Jutanugarn survived a scare after seeing a four-shot lead reduced to one before becoming the first-ever Thai player to win a major with victory at the Women’s British Open today.
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After holding both the 18 and 36-hole lead over the past two days, Mirim Lee stumbled yesterday, getting lapped early in the round as leaders went low.
The free-swinging Ariya, who holds nothing back with the longest clubs in her bag, belts the ball prodigious distances and did not use her driver all week at the relatively short 6,448-yard Marquess Course at Woburn.
A lot can happen in 12 months of top-level sport – just ask Ricoh Women’s British Open champion Ariya Jutanugarn.
She matched the tournament record Thursday with an opening 62. “I didn’t hole as many putts later in the round and I’ll have to hole everything tomorrow to keep up with her”. Now I have two weeks to rest and practice.
Ariya was showered with water and champagne from sister Moriya and friends when she holed the final putt, and the first hug was from her Mum, Narumon.
“After ANA, I’m still really nervous”, Jutanugarn said, “but I’m pretty sure I learned a lot from (because) after I feel nervous, I know what I have to do”. “I don’t feel like it’s this easy”.
Jutanugarn had a 69.
Matthew, who started the day six behind Jutanugarn, started well with birdies at the 2nd and 4th, but inconsistency dogged her round thereafter.
“I think I got mad after that hole”, Jutanugarn said. “I only know what I am doing, four on my own game and if it’s mine, it’s mine”. “I like everything here”.
“Everything was OK. Just OK, not flawless”, Lee said. “I know what I have to focus on and that is to focus only on what is under my control”. It really matters if my putting is working or not.
It was a disappointing day for Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, who was unable to make up the ground she lost on Saturday, finishing as the leading Briton in joint-fifth, seven shots off the pace. I’m looking forward to playing at the Olympics in Rio. “The putts actually dropped today”. “The play at every hole, just stop on the tee box and second shot”.
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Of the other Australians Sarah Jane Smith, continues a good week and an overall good season, adding a 3rd round of 70 to be in a share of 11th position and on track for her best major championship finish. The American won the 2014 tournament at Royal Birkdale.
