Supermum Catriona Matthew birdied three successive holes in a final round of 73 on Sunday to win the Women's British Open by three shots and become the first Scot to capture a major.

Three ahead at the start of play, the 39-year-old was tied with just six holes to play, but the birdie burst from the 13th hole secured the #197 059 first prize.

Three-time champion Karrie Webb of Australia was second, helped by a chip-in eagle at the 15th as she carded the day's best round of 68.

"I'm speechless and I don't think it has sunk in," said Matthew, who has won the title just 11 weeks after giving birth to second daughter, Sophie.

"To be honest, I didn't really play well today, but I 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."

Matthew, whose older daughter, Katie, is two, made her comeback from maternity leave at the Evian Masters in France last week where she finished 30th and had to flee her burning hotel.

After 16 years as professional, this was her seventh win worldwide.

But she did admit: "There have been times when I've wondered if I was ever going to win a major. I thought time was beginning to run out."

Matthew is only the fourth Briton to win one of the big four, joining the English trio of Laura Davies, who has won 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.

After three bogeys in a scrappy first ten holes, Matthew hit back with the magnificent birdie hat-trick.

She holed from 18 feet at the 13th, from monster range at the 14th and then was on the green in two for an easy four at the long 15th.

"The one at 14 really was a bonus," said the Scot.

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.

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

Miyazato spoiled her hopes with a bunkered drive and a double-bogey six at the 17th, while 21-year-old Creamer had a double-bogey at the last after her second shot ran through the green and ended up against the clubhouse wall.

US teenager Michelle Wie carded a final round 69 to finish seven shots off the lead while world number one Lorena Ochoa was 13 behind after a fourth round 74.