Truly special, says Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist after thrilling 3rd Major triumph

Carnoustie, August 23

Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist captured the women’s British Open title with a one-shot win at Carnoustie on Sunday for her third Major triumph after holding her nerve to beat Denmark’s Nanna Madsen in a tense final hole.

The overnight leaders were locked at 12-under heading into the 18th in a thrilling final round in which six players were tied for top spot at 9-under at one point.

But it was Nordqvist who delivered under pressure with a par after Madsen had found the bunker with her wayward approach shot en route to a double-bogey that pushed her down the leaderboard to tied-fifth at 10-under.

The victory meant 34-year-old Nordqvist, who went 3-under in the final round, became Sweden’s first women’s British Open champion since Annika Sorenstam in 2003. Her ninth career win earned her $870,000 in prize money.

“This is truly special. I’ve been waiting for this for a while,” Nordqvist said. “I haven’t won one in a couple of years. There have been a lot of downs since then, which makes it even sweeter. I’m so happy to be here. My husband lives 20 minutes away from here and this place is truly special… I love the fans being back, I’ve loved the atmosphere.” — Reuters