Anna Nordqvist produced a final-round 69 on Sunday at Carnoustie to claim her third major title at the AIG Women’s Open.

Paired with overnight co-leader Nanna Koertz Madsen in Sunday’s final group, the 34-year-old Swede played her first nine holes flawlessly to 3 under and turned with a two shot lead over her Denmark rival. But after back-to-back birdies on 11 and 12 by Koertz Madsen, coupled with a bogey on the 12th by Nordqvist, the Dane was now one up.

A bogey on No. 15 by Koertz Madsen, though, squared things up again, and with three holes to play the two Scandinavians were tied at -12. After each parred 16 and 17 the two finalists walked to the 18th tee tied at -12 and with a major championship on the line.

Neither was in trouble off the tee, but Koertz Madsen hit a poor approach shot, landing in a greenside bunker on a down slope, and never recovered. She’d eventually make double bogey, allowing Nordqvist to tap in from inches for par to claim her first victory since the 2017 Evian Championship (also a major).

“I think this is the most special one,” said Nordqvist, when asked to compare her three major wins. “Just because it’s taken me a couple years and I’ve fought so hard and questioned whether I was doing the right things.

“Also, knowing like how my caddie, Paul, he’s been working so hard and I really wanted to do it for him, too.

“My husband has been supporting me so much, too, and all friends and family, and having spectators back and feeling that adrenaline kicking again I think this is definitely my most special win.”

The second-place prize was split amongst a trio which included England’s Georgia Hall (67), Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom (68) and American Lizette Salas (69).

Because of the late collapse, Koertz Madsen (71) fell into a tie for fifth-place, costing herself $650,000 – the difference between first ($870k) and T5 ($220k) alongside Minjee Lee (66) at 10-under par.

2021 AIG Women’s Open

Top-10 Leaders: Round 4

Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd 4)
1. Anna Nordqvist -12 (-3)
2. Georgia Hall -11 (-5)
2. Madelene Sagstrom -11 (-4)
2. Lizette Salas -11 (-3)
5. Minjee Lee -10 (E)
5. Nanna Koerstz Madsen -10 (-1)
7. Patty Tavatanakit -9 (-5)
7. Leonie Harm -9 (-5)
8. Moriya Jutanugarn -8 (-2)
10. Marissa Steen -7 (-3)
10. Ariya Jutanugarn -7 (-1)
10. Louise Duncan -7 (E)

Notables

Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd 4)
13. Brooke Henderson -6 (E)
13. Nelly Korda -6 (E)
13. Sei Young Kim -6 (E)
20. Lexi Thompson -5 (+2)
26. Nasa Hataoka -4 (-1)
29. Stacy Lewis -2 (-1)
29. Lydia Ko -2 (-1)
34. Carlota Ciganda -1 (-1)
39. Yuka Saso E (+3)
48. Jeongeun Lee6 +2 (+4)
48. Atthaya Thitikul +2 (+6)
52. Inbee Park +3 (E)
61. Jessica Korda +6 (+5)