Lauren Coughlin secures Solheim spot with Women’s Scottish Open win

Lauren Coughlin won the Women’s Scottish Open on Sunday with a killer putt to finish at 3-under 69, winning her second LPGA title of the summer and securing a spot on the U.S. Solheim Cup team.

Coughlin, who won the CPKC Women’s Open in Canada three weeks ago, recovered from two early bogeys to pass Megan Khang on the first nine holes and Germany’s Esther Henseleit on the last nine holes at Dundonald Links.

The 31-year-old American made the last seven holes on a cold day along the Ayrshire coast with one putt, and none was as devastating for Henseleit as the 16th hole. Coughlin was up by three and in trouble in a bunker. She shot to 20 feet and made the par putt.

Coughlin also saved a par from the green on the 17th and completed her performance with a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th.

“I think if you had told me (about her future victories) — let alone at the beginning of this year, but probably at the beginning of last year — I probably wouldn’t have believed you at all that this is what I just did,” she said. “But it’s incredible, and I think it just shows how hard I’ve worked to get here and it’s … amazing.”

Coughlin finished at 15-under 273, four strokes ahead of Henseleit (70). It was Henseleit’s second consecutive runner-up finish, following her silver medal at the Paris Olympics.

Coughlin, who played college golf at Virginia, earned enough Solheim Cup points to earn one of six automatic spots for the Sept. 13-15 tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. It will be her Solheim Cup debut.

Khang was tied with Coughlin after five holes, but did not make another birdie and had two bogeys to finish with a 74. The American finished in a tie for third place with Japan’s Ayaka Furue, who shot a 68.

Charley Hull of England started with two bogeys on three holes and played no significant role. He closed with a 73 and finished fifth, seven strokes behind.

The women now travel to Scotland for the Women’s British Open in St Andrews, the final major championship of the year.

The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.