MADELENE SAGSTROM did not get the birdie she was hoping for during the Women’s Open after a seagull snatched her ball off the fairway.
The Swede was teeing off on the opening hole of her final round at Carnoustie as she chased down a first major victory.
However, her clean drive down the middle of the fairway was not well received by one local.
A seagull sat near to where the shot landed swooped over and began pecking at the ball.
The bird picked it up several times, clearly hoping for a treat.
It is estimated the ball was knocked about 25 yards by the intruder – and, unfortunately, this was in the opposite direction to the hole.
Sagstrom was nevertheless allowed to pick up her ball and place it roughly where it had landed after her first shot, before making par.
The 28-year-old had never finished higher than 11th at a major having claimed her first and only LPGA Tour title in January of last year.
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Going into the final round two strokes off the lead, she ended up four-under for the round in a pairing with home favourite amateur Louise Duncan.
While Duncan shot an even round to finish tied for 10th, Sagstrom came home second on 11-under overall having bogeyed the last hole, leaving her just one shot behind winner Anna Nordqvist.
Finishing as the Women’s Open leading amateur, 21-year-old Duncan was proud of her achievement around the links course.
She said: “I’m over the moon with how I played and I couldn’t be any more proud of myself.
“I’m a wee bit disappointed with the finish there but it’s to be expected – 72 is still a great score on Sunday.
“I was a wee bit nervous and felt a wee bit sick actually but once I rolled in the putt on the first I felt fine.
“Even coming down the last I was absolutely fine, I wasn’t nervous at all.”
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