Share

Stacy Lewis wins British Open

St Andrews - Stacy Lewis's love affair with the Old Course continued at St Andrews on Sunday when she finished birdie, birdie to win the Women's British Open.

In 2008, the American won all five matches over the Home of Golf's famous links in leading her country to victory over Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup.

Five years on and the 28-year-old winner of the 2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship collected her second major with a final round 72 for eight under 280.

Choi Na Yeon and Park Hee Young both shot 73 and were joint runners-up on six under.

But there was disappointment for their fellow South Korean, Park Inbee, who had been aiming to become the first golfer to win four majors in one calendar year.

The world number one's attempt for a place in the record books petered out in a whimper.

The Seoul 25-year-old went into the final round nine off the lead and after reaching the turn in 41 she went on to post a disappointing 78 for six over par and joint 42nd.

"I've gone through four rounds of intense pressure and I'm sort of glad it is over," said Park.

"I enjoyed it, but it was very tough. I almost feel relieved it is all over. It was hard being the centre of attention all week and I feel exhausted.

"Unless I do go on and win four majors in a row then I think I'll always remember this moment. It is something not many get to experience and so I was very lucky."

Three behind Choi following a run of bogeys at the start of the second half, Lewis, the world number two produced some magic over the final stretch in the wild and windy conditions.

At the famous Road Hole - the 17th - she hit her second shot to tap-in range and then she holed a 30-foot birdie putt at the last to set a target that no one else could match.

Choi, last year's US Women's Open Champion, bogeyed the 13th, dropped another shot by three-putting the 14th and another bogey at 17th left her two adrift.

With play having been suspended around lunchtime on Saturday due to high winds, all the leaders had to pack 36-holes into the final day.

After the third round, America's Morgan Pressel led on nine under after a 71.

Lewis had a 69 for eight under and Choi (75), the halfway leader, and Park (70) were in a group tied for third on seven under.

Pressel, hampered by a four-putt double-bogey at the 12th, had a final round 76 and finished tied for fourth on five under with Norway's Suzann Pettersen (74).

On the same mark as Park, New Zealand's 16-year-old Lydia Ko and England's 17-year-old Georgia Hall shared the Smyth Salver for the leading amateur.

Ko, who was joint 17th at the British Open at Hoylake and top amateur last year, closed with a 74 and Hall, the British amateur Champion, had a 77.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1778 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE