Ariya wins British Open, first Thai to win a major

Sister Moriya gives Ariya Jutangarn the champagne treatment after Ariya's victory at the British Women's Open Sunday. (Reuters photo)

WOBURN, ENGLAND - Ariya Jutanugarn made history on Sunday when she became the first Thai golfer - man or woman - to win a major title with a final round 72 and a 16 under par 272 total at the Women's British Open.

The victory installs her as the clear favourite for a gold medal in the four-day women's golf event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, beginning Aug 17.

Two ahead at the start of the final round, Ariya's lead was six shots by the time she birdied the the long second and short sixth and she looked to be striding confidently to victory.

But she had to survive a great second half challenge from playing partner Lee Mirim before securing an emotional three-stroke victory.

The South Korean birdied three holes in a row from the tenth, and when Ariya had two nervy chips and double-bogeyed the 13th the advantage was down to one.

But the 20-year-old, who won three tournaments in a row on the LPGA Tour in May, showed her champion's class, rolling in a 20-foot birdie putt at the 17th and then a solid par at the last earned the $450,000 (403,000 euros) first prize.

Lee three-putted the 18th for a bogey and a 73 left her having to share second place with 2014 champion, Mo Martin. The American had a closing 70.

"This is really important for me and for golf in Thailand," said Ariya, whose next stop is the Olympic Games in Rio.

"The putt at the 17th was a huge relief. I had missed a few and I just wanted to make myself happy by holing it."

Ariya was showered with water and champagne from sister Moriya and friends when she holed the final putt, and the first hug was from her Mum, Narumon.

What did she say to her daughter? "I don't know. She just cried," said the new champion.

Lee, who started the championship with a course record 62 and led at halfway, put up a brave fight, the three birdies and then a miraculous par from tree at the 16th making for a dramatic finale.

Martin, one of the shortest hitters in the field, also piled on the pressure, and it was a great effort by the player who couldn't defend the title at Turnberry last year due to injury.

"It was a tough year, but I've worked hard and this is the reward," said the player who won at Royal Birkdale two years ago.

World No.1 Lydia Ko shot a final day 74 and the New Zealander, holder of two of the five majors, finished with a rather disappointing one under par total.

Ireland's 21-year-old Leona Maguire shot a final round 75 for four under par and won the Smyth Salver for the top amateur.

But it was Ariya who had most to celebrate. One of the most powerful players on Tour - she didn't use her driver during the championship - she has the ability to become a dominant figure in the women's game.

She first played in a LPGA event in her homeland as an 11-year-old - nine years later and she is now a household name and the country's first major champion.

Ariya credited the lessons learned from her experiences over the past year as a key factor in helping her to the historic title at the Women's British Open.

There were plenty of bumps along the way for the 20-year-old, who in her rookie 2015 season on the LPGA Tour missed 10 successive cuts after suffering a shoulder injury.

This year, she led the first major - the ANA Inspiration - by two shots with three holes to play, but ended up fourth.

But overcoming adversity helped her win Sunday's Open title and become the first golfer from her country to win a major.

The turnaround for the powerful youngster came when she won three tournaments in a row on the LPGA Tour in May.

"The low points taught me to be patient," she said after her closing 72 for a three-shot victory on 16 under par. "I knew when I missed all the cuts that I was only 19 and I had plenty of time."

The shoulder injury came about when she was larking about with her older sister, Moriya, with a water bottle. Moriya also made the cut, but finished 16 shots behind Ariya and in a tie for 43rd at Woburn.

"Today I was very nervous, especially after the double-bogey at the 13th," said Ariya, who had led by two after 54 holes and by six with 12 to play.

"But the mistake made me mad and that helped. My caddie also talked to me and told me to slow down."

She is now looking forward to celebrating back home. "I hope Moriya and I will both inspire other Thai girls to play golf," she added.