Yani Tseng wins women’s British Open

World number one Tseng signs autographs following her historic win at Carnoustie in Scotland [GALLO/GETTY]

Yani Tseng became the youngest woman to win a fifth major title after capturing the women’s British Open by four strokes from Brittany Lang on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Taiwanese shot a 3-under 69 to total 16-under 272 after trailing overnight leader Caroline Masson of Germany by two strokes entering the final round.

“It’s so great making history on this golf course (Carnoustie) and I feel wonderful right now,” Tseng said.

“I hope to keep winning. Next year there are another four majors and I will try and organise and keep working hard.”

The top-ranked Tseng claimed her second successive British title, while Masson crashed to a closing 78 to finish in a share of fifth place.

“She will learn from her mistakes and every great player goes through that,” Tseng said. 

“It’s not a big deal. You try your best and I’ve lost lots of times too.”

Overcoming nerves

Tseng dropped a shot at the first with three putts from 30ft, missing a three-footer for par. She birdied the third with a pitching wedge to two feet and the long sixth with a chip to five feet from just short of the green to be out in 35.

“I was a little nervous before the start but then I hit a good tee shot and I felt good,” Tseng said.

“Having been in this position in a major a few times before, I am getting more mature and can handle the pressure better.”

Playing alongside Masson, who was out in 39, Tseng had taken a firm grip by the turn. She was just short of the green off the tee at the par four 11th and took two putts for a birdie, but then dropped a shot at two successive holes.

She hit an 8-iron over the back of the green at 12 and then hit the pin off the tee on the short 13th but her ball came to rest on the edge of a bunker. She had to stand in the sand to play her second.

Tseng birdied the long 14th, where she hit her 4-iron second to 20 feet, then closed with two birdies, holing from 20 feet on the 17th and hitting a majestic 9-iron to three feet at the last.

American Brittany Lang shot a closing 67 to finish on 276, one ahead of Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson, who had a final round 68. Korean Amy Yang, alone in fourth, also posted a 67.

“I played great today,” Lang said.

“I made some really big par putts early on and from then on played fairly flawless golf.”