Women’s Scottish Open: Lydia Ko fades to finish ninth

Lydia Ko of New Zealand putts on the 10th green during the final round of the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links Golf Course in Troon, Scotland. Photo / Getty Images

In-form American Lauren Coughlin carded a final-round three-under-par 69 to claim victory at the Women’s Scottish Open by four strokes at Dundonald Links, Irvine.

With a 15-under 273 for the tournament, Coughlin secured her second career LPGA win in 21 days, following her maiden victory last month at the Canadian Open and sealing her spot on the United States Solheim Cup team.

Olympic gold medallist Lydia Ko went into the final round five shots off the lead and picked up an early birdie at the par three fourth hole before three straight bogeys ended her chances of a second straight tournament victory. Ko carded a three-over 74 to finish at five-under, 10 shots back from Coughlin.

The 54-hole leader, Coughlin bogeyed two of the first four holes on Sunday to open the door for compatriot Megan Khang, who was in second place and one shot back when the day began.

Khang couldn’t take advantage, however, spreading three bogeys and a birdie throughout her round to finish on 74 and fall to a tie for third place at nine under with Japan’s Ayaka Furue, who shot a 68 to sit six strokes off the lead.

England’s Charley Hull finished alone in fifth after a round of 73, but Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels carded a fine 68 to tie for sixth with South Korean Jin Young Ko, eight shot backs at seven under.

Australia’s two-time major winner Minjee Lee, who had a share of the lead heading into Saturday’s play, fell back with a final-round 78 to finish joint-12th on two under.

Germany’s Esther Henseleit, the silver medallist at the Paris Olympics, was a runner-up again. After playing at par on the front nine, Henseleit (70) had three birdies and a bogey on the back nine to narrow the gap with Coughlin, but she couldn’t catch her.

After her slow start to her round, Coughlin added five birdies - including at the 14th, 15th and 18th - to cruise to the win. She single-putted the final seven holes, effectively ending the dreams of her competitors.

Coughlin admitted her recent success on the LPGA Tour is “incredible.”

“I think if you would have told me (of her future wins) - I mean let alone at the beginning of this year but probably the beginning of last year - I probably wouldn’t believe you at all that this is what I’ve just done,” she said.

“I played super solid all four days and just kind of tried to let the wind do what it did and not try to fight it too much.

“I was able to kind of just hit the ball where I was trying to most of the time and good distance and then make some putts.”