Yorkshire’s Emma Brown wins Royal Birkdale Scratch Trophy

Yorkshire s Emma Brown won the Royal Birkdale Scratch Trophy for the first time with a seven-under par total for 36 holes.

Emma, from Malton & Norton, pipped the host club s Kelly Tidy by one shot. She had seven birdies in her morning round of five-under 70 and signed off with a 73.

She emulated Open champion Padraig Harrington with an eagle three on the 17th in the final round. Emma s five-wood shot finished within 3ft of the pin and she went on to birdie the last.

I was really pleased to win and it s always great to play Royal Birkdale, especially after the Open championship was held there earlier in the year, said Emma, who is a former English, British and European champion.

Leading scores

143 Emma Brown (Malton & Norton) 70, 73 

144 Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) 72, 72.

147 Charlotte Wild (Mere) 74,73; Laura Collin (John O Gaunt) 72, 75

148 Claire Fry (Royal Liverpool) 72,76

150 Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 77,73; Charlotte Ellis  (Minchinhampton) 74, 76

152 Helen Butterfield (Sleaford) 76, 76; Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall) 75, 77

153 Sarah Attwood (Gog Magog) 77, 76; Stephanie Farrar (Sandiway) 76, 77; Fiona Thompson (Ellesborough) 74, 79; Giorgina Brown (Mere) 72, 81