Hall gets major breakthrough at Ricoh Women's British Open
What happened at the Ricoh Women’s British Open?
Georgia Hall outlasted Pornanong Phatlum in a thrilling Sunday duel at Royal Lytham & St Annes to become the first Englishwoman to win the British Open in 14 years.
The 22-year-old from Bournemouth made a stunning birdie on the first hole to share the lead with the Thai to setup an afternoon packed with drama.
Phatlum responded with a birdie of her own at the second hole, and then the 28-year-old reeled off three birdies in a row to open up a two-shot lead over Hall.
The Thailand star, who has never won on the LPGA, started to show cracks in her armour and the usual straight-hitting was replaced by erratic tee shots. Hall, meanwhile, was displaying no signs of nerves as she hit the ball long and straight to avoid the plethora of bunkers littered around the famed Lancashire layout.
It became clear that this was quickly becoming a straight shoot-out between the two at the top; So Yeon Ryu and Sung Hyun Park made early triple and double bogeys, while Minjee Lee and Mamiko Higa were going in reverse.
Hall birdied the par-4 13th and the two both picked up a shot at the gettable par-5 15th, but then Hall started to turn the screw.
The Englishwoman rolled in a putt on the 16th for birdie to take the solo lead and Phatlum was on the ropes. On the brutal 17th hole, Phatlum flared her tee shot into a bunker and could only advance her second shot into the left rough. Hall played a stunning iron into the middle of the green and safely two putted for par.
Phatlum did eventually have a short putt for a bogey, but the nerves reared its head as she shoved her putt to the right on her way to her first double bogey of the tournament.
And so Hall – who has never won an LPGA event before, let alone a major championship – stood on the 18th tee with a three-shot advantage.
Two shots later, she was safely into the middle of the green, where she’d comfortably take three putts and win by two shots.
She’s done it!
England’s Georgia Hall is the 2018 Ricoh Women’s British Open Champion!#RWBO #MasterTheElements pic.twitter.com/9cxr73SxYj
— Ricoh Women’s British Open (@RICOHWomensBrit) August 5, 2018
Given that the last British major winner came here at Lytham courtesy of Catriona Matthew in 2009, it’s fitting that nine years later, Georgia Hall picks up the trophy that is so coveted by the home contingent.
Best quote
Georgia Hall:
Incredible. I had so much support today from all the people backing me and supporting me and cheering my name, and the support, I’m just so grateful.
Best moments
HUGE. One shot lead for @georgiahall96. Two holes to play. #RWBO pic.twitter.com/DlXGsEnT5y
— Ricoh Women’s British Open (@RICOHWomensBrit) August 5, 2018
And we're all tied at the top! #RWBO #MasterTheElements pic.twitter.com/clPNwTCWjo
— Ricoh Women’s British Open (@RICOHWomensBrit) August 5, 2018
It's still early, but the final group are doing their best to make this a two horse race #RWBO pic.twitter.com/0KSpIMN9dE
— Ricoh Women’s British Open (@RICOHWomensBrit) August 5, 2018
That's how you start the final round of a Major @georgiahall96! Tied for the lead. #RWBO #MasterTheElements pic.twitter.com/TETmyAggyb
— Ricoh Women’s British Open (@RICOHWomensBrit) August 5, 2018
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