Jutanugarn on top of the world after Scottish Open triumph
What happened at the Ladies Scottish Open?
Ariya Jutanugarn battled every element at Gullane to win the Ladies Scottish Open and leap to the top of the world rankings for the second time of her career.
The Thai star had to endure horrid weather on Saturday, as winds whipped up in excess of 30mph. A stunning chip-in eagle at the par-5 16th meant she’d bounce back from four previous bogeys to hold the lead alongside South Korea’s Amy Yang going into the final round.
Conditions were still on the tough side, but the wind had alleviated and instead, the players had to contend with persistent rain throughout the day.
Yang faltered late on, but Jutanugarn had a brilliant head-to-head clash with Australia’s Minjee Lee.
Lee – the former world No. 1 amateur – already has an LPGA win this year and she continued her fine golf into Sunday. With two birdies in the opening five holes, the Aussie had already cut the deficit and was ready to go toe-to-toe with the big-hitting Thai.
But Jutanugarn bounced back from a bogey at the 6th hole with three consecutive birdies to open up a two-shot lead.
The two continued to hit quality approaches in testing conditions, and when they reached the 18th tee, Jutanugarn had a one-shot advantage.
Lee hit a stunning approach to within five feet for a birdie, while Jutanugarn flared her iron from the rough to the right to leave a difficult chip.
But as Jutanugarn showed at the U.S. Women’s Open earlier in the year, her short game is one of the finest parts of her game, and that was displayed yet again here as she landed the ball short of the green, allowing it to check and then nestle within a foot of the hole.
Lee couldn’t make her downhill birdie putt, so Jutanugarn tapped in to claim her tenth LPGA Tour title, and third of this year.
Ariya @jutanugarn wins the 2018 @ASInvestmentsUK @LadiesScottish ?
? class performance by the new ? #1! Congratulations Ariya, let the celebrations begin ??#ASILSO pic.twitter.com/tbQMFAXP4J
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 29, 2018
Already a Women’s British Open champion, the 22-year-old will head into Royal Lytham & St Annes brimming with confidence.
Elsewhere, Jin Young Ko finished tied for third alongside Haeji Kang to further improve her links credentials having narrowly missed out on winning the 2015 British Open.
Yang finished tied for fifth with Carlota Ciganda, as the Spaniard had an excellent weekend and was the only player in the field to go under-par in all four days.
Leading the British charge was Bronte Law, who carded a final round 68 to finish tied for 17th, while Mel Reid and Georgia Hall ended up tied for 21st.
Ladies Scottish Open leaderboard
The final @ASInvestmentsUK @LadiesScottish leaderboard ⛳️?
All scores: https://t.co/a1Bct0UG56#ASILSO pic.twitter.com/CoSC7bo1KQ
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 29, 2018
Best quote
Ariya @Jutanugarn told @TheAmyRogers that with her win this week @LadiesScottish, she feels like she's bringing her A-game to next week's major @RICOHWomensBrit. Watch out!
Full interview ==> pic.twitter.com/8GVSTh0RfO
— LPGA (@LPGA) July 29, 2018
Best stat
Ariya Jutanugarn has now gone on to win the last eight times she has held or shared the lead after 54 holes.
IMPRESSIVE!
Spanish star @carlotagolf cards 70, 70, 68 & 69 & is the only player @LadiesScottish to shoot under par for each round, finishing T5 on -7 ??️♀️??
Carlota is heading to @RICOHWomensBrit in great form ??#ASILSO #vamos pic.twitter.com/t34ooQcVYy
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 29, 2018
Best moments
PRESSURE! WHAT PRESSURE ?
A touch of class by Ariya @jutanugarn on the 18th @GullaneGolfClub @LadiesScottish ??#ASILSO pic.twitter.com/ne8fc7pRBx
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 29, 2018
WHAT. A. SHOT ??@minjeegolf when the pressure is on, does this on 18 ?#ASILSO pic.twitter.com/m8KCQA23P3
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 29, 2018
Amy Yang sets up a birdie chance on the 12th @GullaneGolfClub & opportunity to close the lead at the top to 1 shot @LadiesScottish ⛳️?️♀️#ASILSO pic.twitter.com/1c1xSTekmz
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 29, 2018
.@carlotagolf rolls in ?number 3 today & moves to -8 @LadiesScottish #ASILSO #Vamos pic.twitter.com/TsRMVJGQBO
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 29, 2018
Ariya @jutanugan leapt her way up the leaderboard with this rare eagle during a very windy Round 3 @LadiesScottish pic.twitter.com/7xsUrnmOuq
— LPGA (@LPGA) July 29, 2018
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