Matthew delivers at British Open
BY Bruce Young | Ladies European Tour | 2009 Ricoh Womens British Open | Round Four | 03 Aug 2009
Three months after delivering her second child and only five weeks after returning to golf, Scotland’s Catriona Matthew has won her first major championship by taking out the 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Matthew ran out a three shot winner over the fast finishing Karrie Webb, whose last round of 68 was the best of the day and moved her from 14th to outright second position. Webb had been a three time winner of the event and made a valiant attempt for her fourth British Open Championship.
Hee Won Han, Paula Creamer, Ai Miyazato and Christina Kim tied for third one shot behind Webb.
Matthew put behind her the scare of being caught in a fire in the hotel in which she stayed during last week’s Evian Masters to record her most significant win in golf.
“Coming up the last hole was a feeling I don’t think I’ve ever had before. Just a tear in my eye trying to hold myself together for the last two putts,” Matthew said, acknowledging the support she received from the fans throughout the week.
“It’s just it really has not sunk in yet. It’s unbelievable. I never imagined coming back and playing here after not playing that I would win.”
The 39-year-old took a share of the lead after a second round 67, took the outright lead on Saturday. Despite a shaky start to her final round, Matthew put the issue beyond doubt with three consecutive birdies in the middle of the back nine and despite a bogey at the 17th, had the luxury of playing the final hole with a three shot cushion.
Matthew’s victory was her third on the LPGA Tour and takes her earnings to just under US$6 million since first joining the LPGA Tour in 1995. Webb’s second place cheque of US$210,000 has taken her LPGA Tour earnings beyond US$15 million, second only to Annika Sorenstam in career earnings.
The only other Australian to make the cut was Katherine Hull who finished 40th.
