In-kyung Kim can finally to put to bed the demons of that missed one-footer at the 2012 Kraft Nabisco, as she claimed her first major victory at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
In-kyung Kim can finally to put to bed the demons of that missed one-footer at the 2012 Kraft Nabisco, as she claimed her first major victory at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
Starting the day with a six-shot lead, Kim was unable to reignite the fireworks that saw her shoot three consecutive sub-70 rounds at Kingsbarns Links, but played steadily throughout, parring every hole on the back nine to secure a two-shot win over England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff.
In an incredibly philosophical press conference, she said that she had long vanquished the demons of her major heartbreak, saying that there were a lot of worse things in life than a missed putt.
A course record equalling 64, ensured twenty-nine-year-old Ewart Shadoff would record her highest finish in a major championship, with it securing her place in the European Solheim Cup team. Starting the day nine shots off the lead, it looked at times as if Ewart Shadoff could catch the Korean, as she fired birdie after birdie over the spectacular Scottish links, including a fantastic three on the challenging 17th.
Michelle Wie mounted her own attack, carding six birdies on the front nine to go out in just 30 shots, but the American’s challenge faded over the closing halve as the putts failed to drop, and she eventually signed for a six-under-par 66, to finish in a tie for 3rd, her highest finish in the tournament since 2005, when she played as a fourteen-year-old amateur.
It was a fantastic week for twenty-one-year-old Georgia Hall, who showed remarkable composure throughout, a final round two-under-par 70 leaving her tied with Wie and Germany’s Caroline Masson on -13, her best-placed finish at a major championship. Hall’s game displayed few chinks, and her performance this week will give the Americans reason to worry as attention turns to the Solheim Cup, which begins in eleven days’ time.
English amateur Sophie Lamb had a day to remember as she fired a three-under-par 69 to claim the Smyth Salver as the low amateur.
‘’It’s all been crazy,’’ she said. ‘’I had to qualify on Monday so since then it’s just been crazy.’’
The nineteen-year-old, who beat the world’s top ranked amateur Leona Maguire by three, has no plans to turn professional in the next twelve months, instead planning to target a place in the 2018 Curtis Cup.
Best Dressed Golfers At The Ricoh Women's British Open. Read More
