KAREN Stupples was unable to defend her Women's British Open title at Royal Birkdale.

The Deal golfer, who won last year's event at Sunningdale, finished in joint 11th place on seven under par, nine shots behind the pace.

The trophy was picked up by South Korea's Jeong Jang, who led the field from the first day to finish on 16 under par, four shots ahead of her nearest rival Sophie Gustafson.