Mo Martin Hits Shot of Her Life to Win Women's British Open


Mo Martin nailed down her first LPGA Tour victory Sunday, and it was a big one that came in dramatic fashion. The 31-year-old UCLA graduate eagled the par-5 18th hole at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, to close with an even-par 72 and win the Women's British Open.

After carding a birdie and three bogeys through 17 holes, Martin hit a 3-wood second on the last. The ball hit the pin - almost going into the cup for an albatross - but stopped six feet away.

From there she stroked in the putt for an eagle and a 1-under 287, the championship's only 72-hole, under-par total.

Finishing an hour ahead of the final group, Martin waited until the last players came in. After 54-hole leader Inbee Park closed with a 77 and China's Shanshan Feng had a 75, Martin ended up a stroke ahead of Norway's Suzann Pettersen, who also shot a 75, and Feng, while Park ended up in fourth two strokes further back.

"I think I still need to be pinched," Martin said after the victory, worth $474,575, was secured. "Is this real life?"

Martin later told the BBC, "The second shot is one I'm going to remember. I actually heard it hit the flag. I said, 'Oh my God.' "

Martin's heroics came on a windy day when no one in the field broke par. Her 72 matched Sunday's low round.

"An absolutely perfect 3-wood," she told reporters. "When it was in the air, I said, 'Sit.' And then I said, 'Stop.' And then when it was going toward the hole, I said, 'OK, I don't have anything more to say to that ball.' I actually heard it hit the pin. It's definitely one to remember."

Martin, at 5-foot-2 one of the shortest hitters on the women's tour, was thrilled with the victory. "Absolutely a dream come true," she said. "Safe to say it's the best week of my life."

Finishing tied for fifth at 3-over 291 were Americans Jessica Korda (74) and Angela Stanford (75), South Korea's Eun-Hee Ji (76) and Paraguay's Julieta Granada (77).

Sharing ninth was 50-year-old Brit Laura Davies. The three-time major winner closed with the next-lowest round, a 73, to join American Marina Alex (76) and Korean Sun-Ju Ahn (79).

Ending up in 12th at 293 were Sweden's Anna Nordqvist, who tied Martin for the low final round with a 72, Spain's Azahara Munoz (75), Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera (77), English teenager Charley Hull (78), and defending champion and No. 1-ranked Stacy Lewis (78).

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.