Kohler, WI (Sports Network) - For a good part of her back nine Sunday, Na Yeon
Choi's chances of winning the U.S. Women's Open were hanging in the balance.
Or, more accurately, they followed her ball as it flew into a hazard next to
the 10th fairway, got stranded in high grass on a hill next to the 12th green,
and bounced along the rocks just in front of the water at the 13th.
But thanks to a handful of key shots under pressure, a little luck and a lot
of nerve down the stretch, Choi recovered to run away with her first major
title.
The 24-year-old shot a 1-over 73 at Blackwolf Run to finish at 7-under-par
281, four strokes in front of Amy Yang.
Choi had fired a 65 on Saturday to build a 6-stroke advantage heading into the
final round, and she needed the big cushion. Her lead over Yang was down to
two strokes at one point, but Choi extended it thanks to two late birdies.
Yang shot a 1-under 71 to end at minus-3, and was the only other player to
finish below par. Sandra Gal (74) took third at 1-over 289.
Choi had previously won five LPGA Tour titles, but hadn't pulled out a
major victory despite being consistently in the hunt. Prior to Sunday, the
Korean finished inside the top 10 at eight major tournaments, including a tie
for second at the 2010 U.S. Women's Open.
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