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Britain's Catriona Matthew shot a final-round 73 to win the women's British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes just 11 weeks after giving birth to her second daughter.

The 39-year-old birdied three holes in a row from the 13th to win by three strokes from 2002 champion Karrie Webb of Australia.

Matthew became the first Scot to win one of the majors of women's golf.

The Australian had a best of day 68.

"I'm still overwhelmed by it all. There are times when I'vewondered if time was running out for me to win a major," said Matthew, who gave birth to Sophie just 11 weeks ago.

Matthew finished second in another major - the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship - when first daughter Katie was just three months old.

"To be honest, I didn't really play well today but holed vital putts for birdies at the 13th and 14th and hit my two best shots of the day onto the green at the long 15th," she said.

Matthew is only the fourth Briton to win a major, joining Laura Davies, who has four, Alison Nicholas, the 1997 US Women's Open Champion, and Karen Stupples, the last home winner of the Women's British Open at Sunningdale five years ago.

Webb, a seven-time major winner, chipped in from 30-yards for an eagle at the 15th and birdied the 16th in a late bid for glory.

"All of a sudden I was in contention, but I always thought it might be one of two shots too many," said the 33-year-old Australian.

Japan's Ai Miyazato, a week after claiming hr first LPA title at the Evian Masters in France, shot 73 for a one over par 289 and finished in a four-way tie for third place alongside South Korea's Han Hee-won (70) and Americans Paula Creamer (71) and Christina Kim (74).

Reuters