New Jersey: The South Korean juggernaut continued as long-hitting Park Sung Hyun broke a three-way tie with two late birdies to win the US Women’s Open by two strokes at Trump National Sunday for her first major championship.
The 23-year-old Park, runaway favorite to win ‘LPGA Rookie of the Year’ honours, birdied the par-five 15th to forge ahead and, after co-leader amateur Choi Hye-jin double-bogeyed the 16th, added a six-foot birdie at the 17th for some cushion.
Park, who won seven times on the Korean LPGA Tour in 2016, saved par at the par-five 18th with a superb chip from a tight lie behind the green to post a five-under-par 67.
As the poker-faced Park made her way from the 18th green to the scoring tent, she paused to wave and bow towards US president Donald Trump, who looked down from his bullet-proof, glass-enclosed private box.
“To be honest I still cannot believe this is actually happening. It’s almost like I’m floating on a cloud in the sky,” Park said through an interpreter after signing for 11-under 277.
The precocious, 17-year-old Choi found water off the tee at the par-three 16th to scuttle her chance for an historic win, but birdied the last to complete a 71 for sole second at nine-under.
Choi was beaming with pride with a runner-up medal hanging around her neck. “This tournament for me, even if I could just come and play, that alone would be an honour, but on top of that … I get the runner-up and it is unbelievably joyous thing for me,” said Choi through an interpreter.
