New Zealand's world golf number two Lydia Ko came up short on the final day of the British Open, despite a closing round of 69 at Turnberry in Scotland.
The New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko shares a joke with her caddy at the British Open. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Seeking her first major championship, Ko had been in contention before dropping two shots at the 12th hole.
She ended up in a two-way tie for third place, four shots behind the world No.1, South Korea's Inbee Park, who won by three shots after a closing round of 65, the equal best round of the tournament.
The fifth and final major event of the season is the Evian Championship in France in the second week of next month.
The 27-year-old Park claimed her seventh major victory and first British Open just weeks after winning the women's PGA Championship for the third year in a row.
"It feels great, this is something I have been dreaming of all my life," Park, who finished on 12 under par, said following her triumph.
"I finally reached my goal. It's just a relief. I'm so happy with everything," added Park who conjured up seven birdies and an eagle in her last round which equalled the lowest of the tournament.
"I didn't feel that confident before this week, but to overcome a lot of things to win this championship is phenomenal."
Park started the final round three shots behind overnight leaders Ko Jin-young of South Korea and Teresa Lu of Taiwan.
Ko Jin-young finished second on nine under par, a shot ahead of her compatriot Ryu So-yeon and Ko, with Norway's Suzann Pettersen a further shot back in fifth.
Meanwhile the Rotorua golfer Danny Lee climbed the leaderboard to finish tied for fourth at the latest PGA Tour event in Virginia.
Lee, who started the day in a tie for 12th, carded a final round two under par 69 to finish on 12 under for the tournament, six shots behind the winner, the American Troy Merritt.