World No 1 Inbee Park powers to the Women's British Open title
Tuesday 4 August 2015 10:58, UK
World No 1 Inbee Park carded a course record equaling 65 to power to a three-shot victory at the Women's British Open.
Park began the day three shots off the lead but carded an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys for a closing 65 to finish 12 under and three clear of compatriot Jin Young Ko.
Joint overnight leader Ko, who was looking to win on her first major start, enjoyed a four-shot lead after following an eagle on the seventh with birdies on the eighth and 10th.
That advantage was soon cut as Park charged through the field with four birdies in a row from the seventh, moving ahead with an eagle on the 14th as Ko three-putted the 13th and ran up a double-bogey on the 16th.
The Women's British Open was the only one of the 'traditional' major championships that Park had yet to win, with the 27-year-old delighted with what she admits was an unexpected triumph.
"This is something I’ve been dreaming of all my life, all my career, all this year. This is something I really wanted and to finally reach my goal is a relief and I’m so happy with everything at the moment," Park said.
"I didn’t feel that comfortable coming into this week but to overcome a lot of things and win the championship is phenomenal."
Victory doesn't technically complete a Grand Slam for Park however, as the Evian Championship only became the fifth major the year after Park won what was then called the Evian Masters.
Ko carded a one-under 71 to hold on to second spot, with So Yeon Ryu and world No 2 Lydia Ko tied-third a further stroke off the pace.
Overnight joint-leader Teresa Lu dropped three shots on the opening two holes on the way to a two-over 74 to end sixth, one adrift of last year's runner-up Suzann Pettersen, who closed with an up-and-down final day level par.
British pair Melissa Reid and Amy Boulden both posted top-ten finishes in their home major, as Ladies European Tour star Charley Hull recovered from a bogey start her round to birdie five of her next six holes and card a three-under 69.
