Tseng wins third major title at Royal Birkdale
Yani Tseng held onto her day one lead at the Women’s British Open to win by one stroke over Australian Katherine Hull. The Taiwanese golf star achieved her third major title with the win after she sank a six-foot putt on the 18th hole in her final round at Royal Birkdale.
The win was her second of the year, and third major overall. Earlier this season Tseng won the Kraft Nabisco and has a total of four LPGA victories including the 2008 LPGA Championship and 2009 Corning Classic. She shot a 73 and 11-under 277 overall.
"I was nervous and tired with all the pressure and attention out there today," Tseng said. "Katherine played really well and put me under a lot of pressure. It was the toughest win I've had to date. I usually come from behind to win. I've never won from the front before."
Hull shared the lead with Tseng early on in the competition, and came into the final round trailing the 21-year-old by four strokes. Hull shaved three strokes off Tseng’s lead in the first 17 holes, earning birdies on the first and second, but bogeying the third, eighth and 10th. She used a 5-wood to hit the ball 12 feet on the second hole where it plunked in. And at the fourth hole her 8-iron sent the ball 40 feet to roll it in.
Hull shot two more birdies on the back nine, but trouble started brewing after her 20-yard putt for birdie on the 17th lipped out, and her chances of tying up Tseng’s lead were at a crucial state.
Tseng’s tee shot off the 18th landed in the sand, and Hull’s dreams were within reach. She attacked the green a little too hard, and hit the ball 25-yards long into the rough. Tseng then put herself six feet from the pin after an excellent approach shot and, feeling the pressure, Hull undershot her third to let Tseng tap her ball in for the victory.
Hull settled for 70 while Tseng made the par putt and walked away with $408,000 in winnings. She is the youngest female golfer ever to win three LPGA majors, and exited the green with tears of joy and relief streaming down her face. Tseng had kind words for Hull after everything settled down,
"I was so tired today, there was so much pressure and expectations – it was an unbelievable day for me. A four-shot lead on this golf course is nothing. She [Hull] really pushed me a lot and it was so close. She was pretty awesome.”
Hull has achieved only one top 10 finish in 23 previous starts. This was her best finish and closest shot at a major title yet.
"I'll probably be working on my short game after that finish," said Hull, who put on a good face despite her obvious disappointment.
"I couldn't believe when that putt on 17 stayed out, but, never mind, I did the best I could. I felt pretty good coming into the week, so there are lots of positives I can take from my performance."
Third place was jointly held by Koreans Na Yeon Choi and In Kyung Kim. PGA Championship winner Cristie Kerr tied for fifth place with two other Korean players, Amy Yang and Seo Gee-Kyunh. Upon Tseng’s win Kerr rushed onto the green to spray her in a shower of champagne.
The Smyth Salver award was given to Caroline Hedwall of Sweden for being the best amateur player in the field; she lead the amateur players with her three-over 291. She had five birdies and one triple bogey on the 12th whole. The 21-year-old qualified for the competition after winning the European Individual Championship and is an Oklahoma State University student.
Tags: