Steinhauer relishing Open defence at St Andrews

American Sherri Steinhauer enjoyed a few extra spin-offs from her impressive win in the Weetabix Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

At 43, she claimed the record as the oldest champion and she joined Australia’s Karrie Webb as the only three-time winners.

But perhaps best of all is the fact that she will be the defending champion next year when the championship makes an historic visit to the Old Course at St Andrews.

It is the first time that a women’s professional tournament has been staged over the most famous of Scottish links.

“I was already looking forward to playing St Andrews,” admitted Steinhauer. “Now it will be even more special.”

Steinhauer, three ahead going into the final round, shot a rock solid final day 72 for seven under par 281 in terrible weather and admitted she was “living a dream” after adding the title to her victories 1998 – also at Lytham – and again at Woburn in 1999.

But this was the first time she had won the tournament since it became a major in 2001.

“Now that it is a major makes it even more special and makes the other two wins even sweeter,” she said after picking up £160,000 (4237,612) for the three-shot win over American Cristie Kerr and Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson.

“I wanted to win so badly out there today. I was very nervous at the start but made a good up and down for par at the first and that was a key.

“I didn’t think about my position and just wanted to concentrate on taking one shot and one hole at a time. But I did see a scoreboard at the 17th and it said Cristie was six under and I thought I had a two-shot lead.

“But then my caddie (Bob Kendall) told me that I was four ahead (Kerr double-bogeyed the last) and it I could hardly believe it. I wasn’t too concerned that I made bogey at the last.

“All day, I felt it was my turn. The courses over here seem to suit my game. I hit low shots that need imagination whereas at the US Women’s Open, you need to hit high soft shots.

“I also love the crowds over here. You sense their love of the game and I really enjoy that.”

It was pouring with rain for much of the round, but Steinhauer refused to put on her waterproofs.

“I’m superstitious,” she said with a laugh. “And I just didn’t want to change anything.”

It worked.