Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn wins Scottish Ladies Open, will move to No. 1

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Jutanugarn wins Scottish Ladies Open, will move to No. 1

Reuters Staff

 

file photo: Jun 29, 2018; Kildeer, IL, USA; Ariya Jutanugarn hits her tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship golf tournament at Kemper Lakes Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

 

Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn fired a 5-under-par 66 on Sunday to win the Ladies Scottish Open by one shot over Australia’s Minjee Lee.

 

Lee, who also shot 66, had an opportunity to force a playoff but missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole at Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland.

 

The victory will boost Jutanugarn, who finished at 13-under 271, back to world No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings. Inbee Park currently holds the top spot.

 

South Koreans Jin Young Ko (67) and Haeji Kang (69) tied for third at 8 under. Spain’s Carlota Ciganda (69) and South Korea’s Amy Yang (72) were another shot back.

 

The 22-year-old Jutanugarn registered six birdies and one bogey in the final round while posting her 10th career victory.

 

“It means a lot to me to win the tournament,” Jutanugarn said afterward. “I told the caddie this week, you know what, I really want to win on a links course, even one time in my life will be good, so right now my dream come true.”

 

Lee had five birdies during a bogey-free round but couldn’t catch Jutanugarn.

 

“I was striking the ball pretty well and putting probably the best I have out of the last three days, four days,” Lee said. “Overall, it was a good week and I’m looking forward to next week.”

 

South Korea’s In-Kyung Kim (68) finished seventh at 278. American Tiffany Joh (70), who held the lead after the first and second rounds, finished at 5 under, tied with American Jacqui Concolino (66) and South African Lee-Anne Pace (70).

 

Jutanugarn was No. 1 once before when she held the top spot for two weeks in June 2017. She is the lone person from Thailand — male or female — ever to be atop the golf rankings.

 

—Field Level Media

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-07-30

[peterpop]

A real star, the Thai people need a Superstar and she is doing her best to provide one.

[from the home of CC]

Good on her, like her routine where she smiles slightly before swinging. Her sister is no slouch either.

[elwood]

18 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

Good on her, like her routine where she smiles slightly before swinging. Her sister is no slouch either.

Yes, a real class act, as a person as well as golfer.

Good luck to her at Royal Lytham.