Sweden's Anna Nordqvist held on to claim her third major title at the Women's British Open golf championship on Sunday, while Japan's Ayaka Furue slipped down the leaderboard to finish in a tie for 20th.
Nordqvist, winner of the 2009 LPGA Championship and the 2017 Evian Championship, carded a final round 69 at Carnoustie Golf Links to finish on 12-under par, one shot clear of England's Georgia Hall, Sweden's Madelene Sagstrom and American Lizette Salas.
Furue started the fourth round four shots behind overnight co-leaders Nordqvist and Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen, but lost ground on the leaders as she carded a level-par round of 72 that featured an eagle, two birdies and four bogeys.
"It's such a difficult course, it didn't match my level of play. Playing against the wind was harder than golf in the rain," said the 21-year-old Furue, who finished the tournament with a 5-under-par total of 283.
"I want to be able to make adjustments during the round, even on bad days when I need to persevere. Playing at the (famed) links venue was a good experience."
Elsewhere for Japan, Nasa Hataoka was tied for 26th at 3-under and Hinako Shibuno was 34th at 1-under. Filipino-Japanese golfer Yuka Saso finished the tournament at even-par.
For many players, the Women's British Open was their first event since the Tokyo Games, including world No. 1 and Olympic gold medalist Nelly Korda of the United States, who hit 72 to finish in a tie for 13th at 6-under.
