Kerr falters, Eun Hee Ji captures Women’s Open

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Eun Hee Ji made a 20-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole yesterday, finishing off an even-par 71 to claim the U.S. Women's Open.

The 23-year-old Ji outlasted playing partner and third-round leader Cristie Kerr, who struggled from the outset and failed in her bid for a second Women's Open title in three years.

Ji recovered from two bogeys in her first four holes and a double-bogey at the 10th hole, making three birdies over the final six holes to finish at even-par 284 at Saucon Valley Country Club.

"Wow! I like, am really happy, this being a major tournament," Ji said through an interpreter. "I think this will be one of the most memorable moments in my life."

Ji, another of a legion of South Korean players who were inspired to play the game by 1998 champion Se Ri Pak, won the Women's Open in just her second try.

She is the second straight South Korean to win the event, following Inbee Park. Countrywoman Birdie Kim claimed the championship in 2005.

Ji said the double-bogey at the 10th had a calming effect, and that's when she tried to focus on making a run. She went on to make birdies at the 13th, 14th and 18th.

"The biggest factor at the biggest moment was the 10th hole when I had the double-bogey," she said. "I just calmed myself down and decided to play comfortably."

She punctuated her steady back-nine run on the final hole by driving into the center of the fairway, landing her approach about 20 feet from the pin and rolling the birdie try into the center of the cup.

Kerr shot a 4-over 75 and tied In-Kyung Kim of South Korea for third at 2-over 286.

"Obviously, today wasn't my day," Kerr said. "Nothing went in. Even the good putts I hit didn't go in, and that's kind of rough.

"You need to get that good feeling and that good momentum on the greens at the Open." Overnight storms dumped an inch of rain on the Old Course, softening the fairways and making the greens more receptive to shots. But a steady breeze helped dry out the putting surfaces and players continued to struggle on the speedy, undulating greens.

Ji's dramatic victory provided a respite from the lingering dispute between LPGA Tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens and more than a dozen top tour players who signed a letter calling for her resignation.

The championship was overshadowed by the news most of the week, and the situation seems to be coming to a head.

LPGA Tour veteran Juli Inkster, who is on the tour's Board of Directors, said Sunday she expects a resolution sometime this week and that the board will search for an interim replacement before eventually hiring a new commissioner.

The New York Times, citing a source, has reported that Bivens has decided to step down after the Open