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Catriona Matthew Makes It Mother’s Day at the Open

Catriona Matthew has accomplished what the Scottish men have failed to do for the last ten years.  She is bringing the Open Championship Trophy home to Scotland.  OK, so it’s not the Claret Jug, but it’s the closest any Scot has come since 1999 and Paul Lawrie’s win at Carnoustie.  Matthew’s win is the first at the Women’s British Open for a Scot and it was a well earned victory.  After having her second child eleven weeks ago she came back to professional golf at the Evian Masters last week.  She played well and tied for 30th, but the week was disrupted by the fire at her hotel where her husband/caddy sustained burns to his feet as they escaped the fire.  This week was anything but disrupted.  Matthew’s back nine on Friday included an eagle an ace and four birdies and put her in position to contend.  Today’s round started with a stumble.  She bogeyed two of the first three holes and let the field back in the tournament.  Karrie Webb and Paula Creamer both made runs, but fell short at the end.  At the tenth hole Matthew had to take an unplayable on her way to a bogey and left her three over for the day.  At a time when the championship appeared to slipping away, Matthew took control.  She settled herself and did what good mom’s do when things get tough.  She got herself to bear down and get the job done.  With three straight birdies at 13, 14, 15 she essentially closed out the win.
Matthew’s last few weeks have been inspiring.  To think that she can come back so quickly from childbirth, to play at such a high level is amazing.  She’ll get the chance to continue her run when she tees it up as a member of the European Solheim Cup team in a few weeks.

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