Things were looking really easy for Ariya Jutanugarn on Sunday at the Women’s British Open.
She made the turn at Woburn Golf Club with a six-shot lead over her nearest rival — Miram Lee. It looked like she would stroll to her first major title.
Then golf happened.
Lee birdied the first three holes to start the final nine then Jutanugarn slipped up and made double-bogey six at the 13th hole. Her six shots lead became one.
“I was really nervous but then I committed to every shot,” Jutanugarn said after she steadied herself and played the last five holes one-under par. That was good enough for an even par round of 72 and her first major championship. She finished 16-under par, three clear of Lee and American Mo Martin who tied for second at 13-under par.
“It is very special for myself and for Thai golfers,” Jutanugarn said after she collected her fourth victory of the year to tie Lydia Ko for most wins this season.
She is currently ranked third in the world behind Ko and Canadian Brooke Henderson but she is quickly closing that gap.
Stacy Lewis shot a final round of 70 to finish solo fourth at 11-under par while fellow American Lexi Thompson tied for eighth at eight-under after a final round of 72.
