Kerr beats Ochoa to first major
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2007 US Women's Open | Round Four | 02 Jul 2007
Amidst attack from golfers from every corner of the globe, Cristie Kerr flew the American flag with pride when taking out the 2007 US Women’s Open title at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
In what essentially developed into a duel between the female game’s two best players yet to win a major, Kerr came out on top after Lorena Ochoa again fell short in her quest to further validate her status as the world’s best by winning her first major championship. Not that Ochoa was disgraced by any means, the brilliant Mexican staying in touch until a bogey at the 17th saw her lose contact with Kerr.
Ochoa had finished off her third round on the morning of day four with a round of 68 but Kerr led into the final round by one over Ochoa, Morgan Pressel and Korean, Shin Jiyai, and by two over Brazilian Angela Park.
When they reached the turn, Kerr and Ochoa had drawn level courtesy of an outward nine of 34 by Ochoa to Kerr’s 35. Both were desperate to win, Ochoa because she is the world’s number one but yet to win a major and Kerr because she too had not won at the absolute highest level but also because she was an American trying to win her national title against a line up of foreigners.
The turning point came at the par four 14th when Kerr hit a fine second to 20 feet and holed to move to five under and led by one over Ochoa. The gap became two when Ochoa bogeyed the 17th after topping her second and Kerr remained rock solid under the most intense of pressure.
Kerr held on to win by two over Ochoa and Angela Park and by three over In-Bee Park and Se Ri Pak whose final round of 68 was the best of the final round.
Kerr has often played well in majors finishing runner up in this event in 2000 behind Karrie Webb and recording a further eight top fives over the last eight years. Today however would be her day and as she broke down afterwards, it reflected not only a golfer who had won her most important event but a lady who had overcome so many other issues in her life. The story of Kerr’s metamorphosis is well documented but that she has been able to transform herself from the ‘ugly duckling’ of the LPGA Tour to one of its finest stars is a tribute to her and an example for many others to follow.
“I felt like that when I came here in ‘96 and was low amateur, played great here in 2001, I guess,” said Kerr later. “The last time we had the U.S. Open here. I finished fourth. Just everything this year has been pointing to this tournament. Hadn’t played great coming out of the box on the LPGA Tour and as of late I’ve just really worked really hard on my game and I’ve had some success as of late and whatever it took I was going to win this tournament this week. Hitting it bad, hitting it crooked, I would have made putts from, well, I did make putts from everywhere, but I would have made longer ones if I had to.”
Ochoa was down but not out after her near miss. “I’m doing okay. I’ve been in worse places. It hurts, but I just did everything I could. I tried really hard every day, every shot. It just didn’t happen for me. I’m quite happy. If you think about it, it’s been good. I gave myself a chance and I wouldn’t change that for anything.”
Angela Park gave evidence throughout the week why she is likely to become a regular contender in major championships. Her almost faultless golf swing will stand the test which major golf applies and with more experience she can be expected to be in contention on many more occasions.
“This is a great experience, especially being able to play this well in the Women’s Open,” said Park later. “I’m just going to take whatever I can take from this and hopefully be a better player next year and the upcoming years.”
Katherine Hull was the best of the Australians in 25ht place while Wendy Doolan was 45th. Australian based Amy Yang did well to make the cut at the age of 17 and finished 50th in her first US Open.
