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

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

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

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.