WOMEN'S British Open golf champion Karen Stupples, from Deal, narrowly failed to win back-to-back titles as American Meg Mallon claimed the Jamie Farr Classic in Sylvania, Ohio.

Mallon birdied the par-five 18th to break a three-way tie with Stupples and South Korea's Se Ri Pak.

Mallon, who started the day four strokes behind leader Stupples, carded a three-under-par 68 to win by a shot.

Stupples, 31, stumbled to a two-over 73 to finish on six under for the tournament alongside Pak.