England’s Hall rallies to win Women’s British Open

Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum finished the third round as she started it, with a one-stroke lead at the Women’s British Open in Lancashire on Saturday.

She had three birdies and three bogeys offset each other, but a double bogey on the par-four 17th hole put her at two over for the round. It was my goal when I was nine to win the British Open.

★”I hope it will bring more sponsorship to the Ladies European Tour”.

Struggling to hold back the tears at the presentation, she said: “This is for you Grandad”.

According to Sky Sports, Hall’s name was inspired by Faldo’s sensational victory-the Masters takes place in the city of Augusta in the USA state Georgia.

While Pornanong will be singing to herself in the final round, Hall will be counting on experience.

Phatlum, the third-round leader, came out strong with four birdies over the first six holes.

When Phatlum drove into the thick rough and could only pitch out sideways at the eighth it cost her a dropped stroke and they went to the ninth hole with Hall one behind.

With her win, she becomes the fourth Englishwoman to win the Championship and first since Karen Stupples in 2004.

“It was nearly like matchplay at the end, and I enjoy that sort of golf”, said Hall. I’m playing with a lot of confidence.

“I think the big thing for me is just focus for every shot”.

That took Hall into a tie for the lead and the 22-year-old saved par from a greenside bunker on the next to remain tied with her playing partner on 16 under.

But Hall’s most notable performance of past year was on her full Solheim Cup debut, winning two matches alongside Anna Nordqvist and taking the experienced Paul Creamer to the final hole of their hard-fought singles clash on the final day.

“I was nervous, but in control”.

“I’m glad I finally played well around here, just in time to leave, ” he said.

The large lead allowed Hall to enjoy the rousing reception that she received on her victory march up to the final hole, where a three-putt bogey was academic. Woods made two double bogeys and three bogeys on the back nine and salvaged a 73 to finish 15 shots behind. “I played well today; I putted great”.

“She is from here and everyone is rooting for her”.

“I can’t believe it is true”, Hall said during a television interview just moments after the victory.

Phatlum, who has four runner-up finishes on the LPGA Tour but has never won in almost a decade of toil, will head into Sunday’s final round at 13-under 203.

Hall played safe in three-putting from distance in front of Royal Lytham’s storied clubhouse and celebrated her first win on the LPGA Tour.

Phatlum was a surprise 36-hole leader as the Thai had made only one cut in seven previous visits to the British Open.

The Thai 15-year-old closed with 77 for 12 over par.