South Korea’s Inbee Park became just the seventh woman to win a career grand slam after winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Trump Turnberry in Scotland.
The world no.1 carded a course record equalling 65 in the final round to win by three shots, and in doing so joined an elite group comprising Pat Bradley, Juli Inkster, Annika Sorenstam, Louise Suggs, Karrie Webb and Mickey Wright, who have all won at least four different majors.
The 27 year old from Seoul has also won the Evian Masters in 2012, when it was considered a Major on the Ladies European Tour, but a year before it became the official fifth Major on the LPGA in 2013 and was renamed the Evian Championship.
Park started the final round in a share of fifth place, three shots behind leaders Jin-Young Ko and Teresa Lu, but began her chase with four birdies in a row from the seventh. She was a stroke behind Ko after she eagled the par-5 14th hole, making a putt of 25 feet, and then birdied the par-4 16th to lead for the first time in the championship on 12 under par.
After Ko bogeyed the 13th and double bogeyed the 16th, Park was three strokes clear, as she waited in the clubhouse for the final two groups to finish.
She sealed her seventh Major victory, worth £298,534, when Ko finished with par on the last two holes. It was Park’s fourth title this season and the 16th win of her 10-year career.
“This is something I’ve been dreaming of all my life, all my career, “ she said. “This is something I really wanted and to finally reach my goal is a relief, and I’m so happy. I didn’t feel that comfortable coming into this week, but to overcome a lot of things and win the championship is phenomenal.”
Fellow South Korean Ko was second, with compatriot So Yeon Ryu and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko tied for third on eight under par.
On Ko’s performance in her first major championship, Park commented: “She is a very talented girl and she was holding up well out there. All four days she played fantastic. I know her well and she is from the same management company as me, so I had dinner with her earlier in the week. I got lucky – the golfing gods were on my side.”
Second round leader Suzann Pettersen finished in fifth place on seven under par, with Teresa Lu from Chinese Taipei a stroke further behind in sixth.
Amy Boulden and Melissa Reid were the highest finishes among the home contingent, sharing ninth place with Australian Minjee Lee on four under par.