'Visiting team' Phatlum can't close out British

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England – Pornanong Phatlum started strong as the “visiting team” Sunday at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

She made three birdies in a row on the front nine to build a two-shot lead on England’s Georgia Hall, who was heartily cheered by a strong British showing.

In the end, though, Phatlum couldn’t prevent the British victory celebration at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. She couldn’t hold off Hall’s back-nine charge as a costly double bogey at the 17^th sealed Phatlum’s fate.

“Just very nervous today, more nervous,” Phatlum said. “It’s going to be big experience for me.”

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Hall birdied the 16^th to take a one shot lead, and then put Phatlum away with a par at the 17^th. That’s where Phatlum pulled her tee shot into a fairway bunker, and later missed a 3-foot putt to make double bogey.

“Georgia played so amazing today,” Phatlum said. “She is from here, and everyone rooting for her. I’m happy she won.”

Phatlum, 28, was seeking to make her first LPGA title a major. She was also seeking to become the third player from Thailand to win over the last three weeks, the second to win a major this summer.