Shattered Tseng holds on for British Open victory

Published on Sunday 1 August 2010 14:10

TAIWAN'S Yani Tseng was exhausted and emotionally drained. However, she summed up just enough energy to hole a vital six-foot birdie putt at the 18th and replace Scotland's Catriona Matthew as the Ricoh Women's British Open Champion at Royal Birkdale yesterday.

Four ahead going into the final day, Tseng had to survive a ding-dong battle with Australia's Katherine Hull. Only one shot separated the pair over the final five holes, but she just held on to post a 73 and claimed the 261,493 prize by a stroke from her 28-year-old playing partner.

When the final putt dropped, Tseng burst into tears as players and caddies showered her in champagne. "I was just so tired," said the player, who had shown her growing frailty by driving into a bunker at the par five 18th. "There was so much pressure and the final few holes were so hard.

"It's been an unbelievable day. Katherine played awesome golf and pushed me so hard. Even when the last putt went in I had to say to my caddie 'Did I win?' But I feel so proud."

At 21, Tseng, who came into the championship at No? 5 in the world, becomes the youngest woman to have claimed three major titles. She won the 2008 LPGA Championship and the Kraft Nabisco Championship back in March.

For Hull, who closed with a 70 for ten under, it was far and away her best result in a major in 23 previous attempts she had never once made the top 20. "I'm disappointed, but can take lots of positives from the week," she said after her four birdie final round.

With Matthew's defence having ended on Friday when she took ten at the 13th in a second round 81, Janice Moodie was left as the lone Scot in action at the weekend. She shot a 74 on Saturday and closed with a 73 for seven over par and a share of 55th place.

Wales' Becky Breweton was the best of the Britons in joint 21st on two over.

Birdies at the last three holes for 37-year-old Moodie still couldn't make up for a disappointing week for the Scots and the hope is that they will serve up better fare next year when the championship makes its debut at Carnoustie.

"I've played there a few times, usually in wind and rain and horrible conditions," said Moodie. "It will be a good test, but I just hope they don't make it too tough.

"I would also like them to follow the Seniors and go to courses such as Royal Aberdeen. Nairn would also be good and Turnberry is my favourite."

Tseng has never played the Angus links but she did watch Padraig Harrington win the Open there in 2007 and said she had watched intently on TV last weekend when Bernhard Langer plotted his way round the tough links to secure the Senior Open Championship ahead of Corey Pavin.

Moodie played with England's Laura Davies in the final round - she outshot the four-time major champion by four shots - and she also had two fellow Windyhill members for company. Michael Scott has carried Moodie's bag at several British Opens, while his brother, Jonny, works full-time for Davies.

"It was like a school reunion," she said.

"We all went to Bearsden Academy together.

"Jonny used to caddie for me on the LPGA Tour in America, but I sacked him five years ago. We're still all good friends though."