Lydia Ko ended an eight-year major drought by claiming the AIG Women’s Open after a tense finish in blustery conditions at St Andrews.
The New Zealander, who won the Olympic gold medal earlier this month, birdied the last as she closed with a three-under-par 69 to win her third major on seven under.
Last year’s champion Lilia Vu failed to hole a 15-foot birdie putt on the last to force a play-off and then missed from 12 inches to gift Ko a two-shot victory.
World number one Nelly Korda led by two on the 14th tee but took seven shots on the par-five hole and then bogeyed the 17th as she faded to finish alongside Vu, Ruoning Yin and Jiyai Shin in joint second on five under.
England’s Lottie Woad won the Smyth Salver as low amateur, birdieing the last to finish on one under.
