Simi finishes joint sixth

NEW DELHI, Aug 17: Simi Mehra, lying third after three rounds, had a poor chip shot on par-5 11th to cost her a place in the top three in...

NEW DELHI, Aug 17: Simi Mehra, lying third after three rounds, had a poor chip shot on par-5 11th to cost her a place in the top three in the women8217;s British Open at the par-72 Royal Lytham and St Anne8217;s course, near London, on Sunday.

She finished a creditable joint sixth with a total of 8-over 297 her best finish so far on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour and collected a cheque for 27,540, according to information received here.Calcutta-based Simi, who became the first Indian lady pro to qualify for the LPGA Tour, has had a good season which included a fourth place in the 700, 000 Australian Ladies Masters Golf Championship and 12th in 500,000 Welch8217;s Circle K Championship and then a ninth place in the Du Maurier Classic in Toronto Canada.

The British Open was won by American Sherri Steinhauer at 4-over 292, who birdied the final hole to nose ahead of Sophie Gustaphson and Brandie Burton, joint second with 5-over 293. Sherri had a final round card of three-under 69 and received 162,000, while Sophie and Brandie got 81,000 each.

The Calcuttan, with a final round card of four-over 76, led the field with two others early, but the poor chip on the 11th, which she agreed, made all the difference in the final analysis. 8220;I think the difference was the 11th hole. I had two birdies there on the first three days and was on the edge of the green with my second shot today. But a bad chip, followed by a three-putt, resulted in a bogey when I should have got a birdie there,8221; Simi said.

She began the tournament well with a one over 73 but fell behind in the second round after going five over. She pulled back on the third day with a one-under card. The windy conditions and the long course favoured Simi8217;s style, who is the longest hitter on the LPGA Tour. 8220;In the American courses, you got to have a hot putter. But the British courses suit my long-hitting style better. On most of the par-4, I was using the wedge for my second shot,8221; she said. Her family was present to witness one of thebest performances by a Indian woman golfer on the world stage.

Though the British Open does not have a Major8217; status, it is considered one of the most prestigious tournaments on the LPGA Tour.

Final scores
Sherri Steinhauer 81-72-70-69 292; 293: Sophie Gustafson 78-71-74-70; Brandie Burton 71-74-77-71; 294: Janice Moodie 75-72-72-75; 296: Karrie Webb 76-76-71-73; 297: Smriti Simi Mehra 73-77-71-76; Wendy Ward 76-71-74-76; Leslie Spalding 76-70-75-76; Betsy King 71-77-72-77.