South Korean Ji birdies last to win U.S. Open
BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Ji Eun-hee of South Korea rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt on the last hole to win the U.S. Women's Open for her maiden championship title on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Ji's downhill putt completed an even-par 71 for a level-par 284 total which beat Candie Kung of Taiwan by one stroke.
"I was extremely nervous before that last putt," Ji told a television interviewer after thrusting her arms up in triumph on the last green.
Kung, who began the day five strokes behind overnight leader Cristie Kerr, fired a two-under-par 69 for 285.
"I was very proud of myself shooting red numbers at the U.S. Open," said 27-year-old Kung, who finished 68-69 to overcome a second-round 77.
Kerr, the 2007 champion who led after the second and third rounds, had trouble avoiding the rough and finally relinquished the lead when her four-foot par putt at the 13th lipped out.
The American had a two-shot lead over playing partner Ji at the start and extended her advantage to three early in the round before erratic ball-striking caught up with her.
"I'm obviously disappointed," said 31-year-old Kerr, who hit only eight fairways. "I couldn't even hit the fairway with the seven-iron on 15. Obviously I was a little bit off."
Kerr registered 75 to finish on 286, tied with South Korean Kim In-kyung, who shot 70.
American Brittany Lincicome, winner of the year's first major, the Kraft Nabisco, was a short further back after shooting a closing 70.
Tied for sixth on 288 were Suzann Pettersen of Norway (71), Ai Miyazato of Japan (69) and American Paula Creamer, who bounced back from a third-round 79 to shoot 69.
DOUBLE BOGEY
Ji overcame a double bogey at the 10th which looked like it might derail her bid.
She tried to drive the green at the short par-four and found a greenside bunker. Ji blasted out into another bunker before finally exiting into thick rough.
She then birdied the 13th from two feet and drained a 45-footer to birdie 14 to negate the double bogey.
Kung, who made her first birdie of the championship on the sixth hole on Saturday, continued her birdie barrage on Sunday and edged into the lead with Kerr's bogey at 13.
One hole later there was a four-way tie at the top between Kung, Kerr, Ji and South Korean Kim In-kyung at one-over.
Kim bogeyed 18 to go to two-over, and Kerr followed with a bogey at the 16th. Facing a 12-foot birdie putt for the outright lead, Kerr missed the cup by nearly two feet to the right then lipped out a four-footer and made bogey.
That set the stage for Ji, who rifled a six-iron at the pin at 18 and converted the putt for victory.
"I didn't even dream about winning this tournament," said Ji, who had one LPGA title to her credit. "But I did it and I think this will be one of the most memorable moments of my life."
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
