South Korean Ji birdies last to win U.S. Open

By Larry Fine

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 at the 18th 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.

Kerr, the 2007 champion who had led the tournament after the second and third rounds, had trouble avoiding the rough on Sunday and finally relinquished the lead when her four-foot par putt at the 13th lipped out.

The American, who held a two-shot lead over playing partner Ji at the start of the day, registered a 75 to finish on 286, tied with South Korean Kim In-kyung, who shot 70.

Another stroke back after a final-round 70 was American Brittany Lincicome, winner of the year's first major, the Kraft Nabisco.

Ji overcame a double-bogey at the 10th hole which looked like it might derail her bid.

She tried to drive the green at the short par-four and found a greenside bunker. She blasted out into another bunker before finally exiting into thick rough.

"I was extremely disappointed at the double bogey," she said through an interpreter. "But after that I made a couple of birdies and got the feel back to my shots."

(Reporting by Larry Fine, Editing by Ed Osmond)