Stylish Tseng retains British Open crown

(REUTERS)

Yani Tseng retained her British Women's Open title yesterday after Caroline Masson, the overnight leader, suffered a nightmare final round at Carnoustie. World No 2 Tseng, from Chinese Taipei, claimed her fifth major crown after shooting a three-under-par 69 to finish on 16-under.

That left her four shots clear of runner-up Brittany Lang, of the United States, who collected four birdies in the final eight holes to card a five-under-par 67, while Sweden's Sophie Gustafson was third on 11 under, and South Korea's Amy Yang fourth, a further shot back.

While Tseng, 22, was celebrating becoming the first person to defend their British Open title since Sherri Steinhauer in 1999, Masson was left to reflect on a heartbreaking last day as her hopes vanished in a flurry of bogeys. The world No 141 from Germany started out holding a surprise two-shot lead over Tseng but had to settle for a share of fifth place alongside 2009 British Open champion Catriona Matthew after carding a six-over par 78.

It might have been even worse for the 22-year-old as she carded bogeys at the second, third, seventh, 10th, 11th and 15th holes, and a double bogey at the par-four 12, to slump to eight over for the round, but she managed to climb back up the leaderboard with birdies on the last two holes.