Women's British Open: Mo Martin wins at Royal Birkdale

Mo Martin secured an eagle on the 18th hole to finish one under par

United States golfer Mo Martin was the surprise winner of the Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale.

On a high-scoring final day, the 31-year-old world number 99 made an eagle on the 18th hole to finish one under par after a round of 72.

She finished a shot clear of China's Shanshan Feng and Norway's Suzann Pettersen to claim her first major.

Britain's Charley Hull, 18, could only manage a 78 to finish on five over par, six shots adrift.

"I played rubbish today to be honest," she told BBC Radio 5 live. "But I learned a lot from this round."

Dame Laura Davies was the leading British player on four over par and tied for ninth.

The 50-year-old said she expected to do well at the tournament she won in 1986. She told BBC Radio 5 live: "I know I'm playing well and I'm not surprised I have done this this week."

Overnight leader Inbee Park of Korea finished fourth on one over after a 77.

Martin produced the shot of the final round with a three-wood second shot at the 472-yard 18th that hit the pin and settled six feet away.

"The 18th was the greatest shot of my life," said the new champion, whose previous best finish in a major was tied 29th at the Kraft Nabisco Championship earlier this year.

Overnight leader Inbee Park hit a double bogey on the 10th hole

"I fell in love with Royal Birkdale from the first time I saw it."

And upon being presented with the women's Claret Jug, Martin told BBC Two: "This is absolutely amazing. I think I still need to be pinched. It's really hard to believe."

Martin's 72 was the joint best score of the final round as she clawed back a three-shot deficit on four-time major winner Park.

However, Park, 26, remained in contention, despite a double bogey on the tenth, until she hit the bunker on the final hole.

The South Korean needed a birdie to tie, but instead dropped a shot.

Feng, who won the LPGA Championship in 2012, bogeyed the 16th and then missed a long birdie chance on the 18th to record a three-over-par 76.

Martin then looked on as her final challenger, Pettersen, hit the bunker on the 18th and then failed to chip in for the eagle she needed to force a play-off.

Defending champion and world number one Stacy Lewis, of the US, carded a six-over-par 78 to finish joint 12th.