Jutanugarn revealed that she was glad avoid a repeat of what happened at the ANA Inspiration in March, where she bogeyed her last three holes to miss out on the title. “I’m like, ‘Oh, what’s wrong with me.’ But after that, I’m really like be patient and I can come back really good”. Jutanugarn finished at 16-under 272 on the Marquess Course, the hilly, forest layout that is a big change from the usual seaside layouts in the tournament rotation.
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The top-ranked Ko tied for 40th at 1 under after a 74.
The victory installs her as the clear favourite for a gold medal in the four-day women’s golf event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, beginning Aug 17.
Her difficulties allowed Lee to close the gap before the South Korean, who was also chasing her maiden major crown, encountered trouble at the 17.
However, she began to feel understandably jittery when Lee grabbed a birdie hat-trick from the 10th and Ariya then took four shots to reach the green at the 13th and slumped to a double-bogey six.
But a three-time victor in the United States since, Jutanugarn regrouped with three straight pars and put the icing on the cake with a birdie at the 71 hole to put the result beyond doubt.
A household name back home in Thailand, Jutanugarn grew up admiring Tiger Woods – as she pointed out, he has Thai heritage – and she has already carved out her own little bit of history.
Ko was never in the running after her lacklustre first two rounds and closed with a two over 73 today.
“I think it’s really important for me and for Thai golf, also”, Jutanugarn said.
Martin’s compatriot Stacy Lewis was two strokes further adrift in fourth, while Scotland’s Catriona Matthew faded after a bright start on her way to tying for fifth along with seven-time major victor Karrie Webb of Australia. I know how to be like patient.
Jutanugarn, who has been asked incessantly this week about the effect of her struggles at the ANA earlier in the year, said that experience had been key in her victory in England.
After ANA, Im still really nervous, Jutanugarn said.
Jutanugarn’s older sister, Moriya, had a 75 to tie for 43rd at 3 over.
Im really looking forward to it, Jutanugarn said.
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American Mo Martin, the 2014 champion, is one of the shortest from the tee on Tour but she proved she is something of a British Open specialist with a 69 for third place on 11 under par.
