Yamashita wins Women’s Open

IYU Yamashita produced an almost faultless final round to hold off England’s Charley Hull and win the Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl yesterday.

It is a first major victory for the 24-year-old from Japan, following top-10 finishes at each of the past two editions of the Women’s PGA Championship.

Yamashita’s two-under round of 70 left her two shots clear of 29-year-old Hull, who carded a three-under 69 to finish second in a major for the fourth time in her career.

Minami Katsu of Japan birdied the last to finish alongside Hull at nine under for the championship. Hull relentlessly pursued Yamashita’s lead all afternoon but consecutive bogeys at the 16th and 17th, her only dropped shots of the day, ended her hopes.

Yamashita assumed control of the tournament with a seven-under-par round of 65 on Friday morning and led from that moment on.

She briefly shared top spot with playing partner A Lim Kim early in her final round, but the South Korean’s birdie at the second was quickly followed by consecutive bogeys.

Hull, who propelled herself into contention with a six-under 66 on Saturday, quickly emerged as the main challenger to Yamashita. – BBC / Zimpapers Sports Hub