Park In-bee shoots record-equalling 65 to win Women’s British Open, her seventh major
South Korean holds off young compatriot Ko
South Korea’s Park In-bee claimed her seventh major Sunday when she carded seven birdies and an eagle in a record-equalling final round of 65 to win the Women’s British Open.
A 12-under-par 276 total gave the 27-year-old world number one a three-shot triumph and a second major of the season to set alongside her third successive LPGA Championship in June.
Park has also won two US Opens and the 2013 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
The only missing major from the list is the Evian Championship – but she did win the title the year before it became one of the big five in 2013.
“I have dreamed of this,” said Park after becoming the seventh woman golfer to win four different majors in her career.
“It’s just amazing and it hasn’t really sunk in.
“Winning majors always gives you a confidence boost and that’s what made the difference today. I had been in the position before and I knew I could do it.”
Ko Jin-young, the 20-year-old Korean LPGA player, was three shots behind in second place after a 71, with world number two Lydia Ko (69) and Ryu So-yeon (68) tied for third on eight under par.
Three behind going into the final round, Park was still three behind Ko Jin-young with five to play.
But she eagled the 14th, birdied the 16th and finally unnerved her young compatriot.
She was playing in her first major and had never experienced the tormenting wind and rain that accompanied every round of the championship.
“She is a very talented player and held up very well under the pressure. She played fantastic golf all week,” said Park.
“The weather made it so hard. But to overcome all the hard tasks and become champion is great. I putted so well today. Everything seemed to go in and nothing seemed to worry me.
“I’ve put my name on every single major championship. I won Evian before it became a major so it would be good to win it again this year.
“Winning this title was the only goal I set myself this year and I feel so happy to have achieved it. Every major is special but this one is much more special.
“This week I was lucky. I got the good side of the draw and some good bounces.”