Mo Martin wins Ricoh Women’s British Open

Mo Martin of the USA eagled the final hole to win the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale by a single shot from Shanshen Feng of China and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen.

Mo Martin of the USA eagled the final hole to win the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale by a single shot from Shanshen Feng of China and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen.

In difficult conditions, Martin who had led through 36 holes, carded a closing 72 for a four-round total of one-under-par. She finished her round in style, striking the pin with her second shot to the par-5 18th and holing out for an eagle three.

Shanshen Feng, Suzann Pettersen and Inbee Park all had a chance to catch Martin. Feng came to the 18th tee needing a birdie to tie the American. But the Chinese golfer found the greenside bunker with her second shot and was unable to get up-and-down.

Park drove into the rough down the right side of the 18th and could only hack out back towards the fairway. She was fortunate not to go into a bunker with her second, but couldn’t avoid one with her third.

Pettersen struck a good drive onto the 18th fairway but, needing an eagle to tie, she leaked her second shot to the right and ended in a bunker.

Both the Norwegian and the Korean had to hole out from the sand to force a playoff and, when neither were able to do so, the title went to Martin.

It was a remarkable victory for the 31-year-old who was ranked 99th in the world coming into this event and was making only her third appearance in the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

“The 18th was the best shot of my life,” she said. “I fell in love with Royal Birkdale the first time I saw it.”

England’s Laura Davies was the top British finisher. She ended the week on four-over-par and in a tie for ninth place.

Ricoh Women’s British Open Royal Birkdale, Southport, England Jul 10-13, purse $2,500,000, par 72

1    Mo Martin (USA)        69    69    77    72    287    $277,887 T2    Shanshen Feng (Chn)    73    71    69    75    288    $148,068 T2    Suzann Pettersen (Nor)    72    73    68    75    288    $148,068 4    Inbee Park (Kor)        72    72    68    77    289    $95,394 T5    Jessica Korda (USA)    72    72    73    74    291    $65,736 T5    Angela Stanford (USA)    74    72    70    75    291    $65,736 T5    Eun-Hee Ji (Kor)        74    70    71    76    291    $65,736 T5    Julieta Granada (Par)    72    70    72    77    291    $65,736 T9    Laura Davies (Eng)    75    72    72    73    292    $45,900 T9    Marina Alex (USA)    72    76    68    76    292    $45,900 T9    Sun Ju Ahn (Kor)        75    67    71    79    292    $45,900

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage