Ariya wins British Open, 1st Thai golfer to win a major

Ariya Jutanugarn fought off final-round pressure to become the first Thai golfer โ€“ man or woman โ€“ to claim a major title, winning the British Open by three strokes.

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Ariya lands historic British Open title

Woburn, United Kingdom, AFP – 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.

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.

Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn is sprayed with bottled water as she celebrates winning the 2016 Women's British Open Golf Championships at Woburn Golf Club in central England, on July 31, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK

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.

What did her mother say? "I don't know. She just cried," said the new champion. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK

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 (15.6 million baht) first prize.

"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 her 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.

One of the most powerful players on Tour – Jutanugarn 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.

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