Women’s British Open: Inbee Park

Inbee Park completed the career Grand Slam thanks to a brilliant final-round 65 at Turnberry.

The South Korean had won five of the previous 13 Majors and ticked off the British one after overcoming her compatriot Jin-Young Ko who led by four after an eagle at the 7th.

GALLERY: Women’s British Open at Turnberry

Park birdied four on the spin from the 7th, added an eagle at 14 and a seventh birdie at the 16th.

She now needs the Evian to complete the Super Slam with the French Major only having been granted its elevated status in 2013 – she also won that the previous year.

Lydia Ko tied for third while Amy Boulden from Wales and England’s Melissa Reid shared ninth place.

What she said: “Greatest day of my life yet for sure. The Grand Slam has been the goal of my career, and I’ve achieved it at the age of 27. So I don’t know what the next goal will be, but I’ve got to set some kind of goal. Just seemed so far and so hard that I couldn’t achieve the Grand Slam, and I’m here and I’ve finally done it.”

Tour notebook: Rickie gets the beers in, kidney stone drama for Ernie – CLICK HERE

European Tour: Paul Lawrie Match Play – Kiradech Aphibarnrat

The 26-year-old Thai star became the first winner of the event after holding his nerve against Robert Karlsson in the final.

Three down with four to play the Swede knocked in two birdies and a par and then fired his approach to the 18th to 10 feet. But Aphibrarnrat, who beat home hope Marc Warren in the last four, hit his to just four feet and rolled it in.

England’s David Howell recovered from his narrow semi-final defeat to Karlsson to beat Warren by one hole in the third/fourth place match.

What he said: “This is a very important win for me because it is the first time I have won outside Asia. I have always said that we are just a little small country in Asia and that my next step to win in Europe, so I am so happy and so proud of myself that I was able to prove we also can win out of Asia. It’s an important win for Thai and all Asian players.

“I didn’t have too high expectations this week but I just came here and tried to enjoy the whole experience of playing in Scotland.”

“I almost started crying with three holes to go – I was really getting emotional” – Rope Kakko
PGA Tour: Quicken Loans National – Troy Merritt

A first win on Tour for the 29-year-old and by three shots over a classy chasing pack.

A 10-under 61 on Saturday did the bulk of the damage Merritt and he finished in style, almost holing out at the short 16th before rolling in a 34-foot putt at the 72nd hole to pull further clear of Rickie Fowler.

He made a change in the way he addressed the ball earlier in the week and then a putting tweak on Saturday and that proved to be the difference.

David Lingmerth took third spot with Justin Rose and in-form Danny Lee part of a six-way tie for fourth.

Fellow leader Kevin Chappell fell away with a 77 while Tiger Woods tied for 18th after three good rounds.

What he said: “That’s why I’m here. We found two little fixes. It’s amazing how you can dream about winning a golf tournament for your entire life. And you’ve got it scripted. And when it happens, you’re not thinking. You don’t remember what your name is. You’re just reacting.”

 

European/Challenge Tour: Madeira Islands Open – Roope Kakko

Welcome to the European Tour Roope Kakko. The Finn, just the second along with Mikko Ilonen to win on the main Tour, put together an error-free 63, after a Saturday 64, to finish three clear of Scotland’s Scott Henry.

Four birdies going out were followed by three more, and a chip-in eagle at 10, coming in to set a new tournament record at -24. Henry secured his second consecutive runner-up finish at this event, having been defeated by England’s Daniel Brooks in a play-off last year.

What he said: “I’m speechless. I came here to try and win this event and change my career so I’m over the moon to have done it.

“I was really nervous coming down the stretch on the last five holes. I almost started crying with three holes to go – I was really getting emotional. But my caddie was very helpful, he gave me a couple of songs to sing and cracked a few jokes and that really helped me get into the moment.”

Mark Townsend

Been watching and playing golf since the early 80s and generally still stuck in this period. Huge fan of all things Robert Rock, less so white belts. Handicap of 8, fragile mind and short game

Handicap: 8

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