Golf

Mo Martin claims stunning victory at Women’s British Open

American eagles the 18th at Royal Birkdale to win by one shot

Mo Martin of the United States poses with the trophy following her one-shot victory at the end of the final round of the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images
Mo Martin of the United States poses with the trophy following her one-shot victory at the end of the final round of the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images
Sun Jul 13 2014 - 18:52

American Mo Martin won the Ricoh Women's British Open in stunning fashion on Sunday, firing an eagle on the 72nd hole to finish a shot ahead of Norway's Suzann Pettersen and China's Shanshan Feng.

Martin’s approach to the 18th ran into the flag and finished six feet from the hole to set up a closing round of 72 in windy conditions at Royal Birkdale.

“The second shot is one I’m going to remember. I actually heard it hit the flag and said ‘Oh my God’,” said Martin, who had recorded just one top-10 finish in 63 previous LPGA starts.

“This was a full three wood. I was off a little bit of a left-to-right lie, which let it feed. At this point, I’m saying ‘sit’. And then I said ‘go’. And then I said ‘I don’t know what else to say’.’

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Martin had to wait for an hour to see if any of the later starters could match her total of one under par, but Feng and Pettersen both shot 75, although Pettersen did finish with birdies on the 17th and 18th.

“Is this real life?” Martin added when told that she had won. “It was a tough day of golf today. It was very windy and this course is very challenging. So I stayed patient and I fortunately played some really good golf today.

“From the first time I saw Royal Birkdale, I fell in love with it. I think the layout is absolutely phenomenal.”

Overnight leader Inbee Park finished fourth after a closing 77 while English teenager Charley Hull was joint 12th after a disappointing 78. A closing 73 meant 50-year-old Laura Davies was the best-placed British player in a share of ninth.