SUNG-HYUN WINS HER FIRST MAJOR AT US WOMEN’S OPEN

BEDMINSTER ( United States): South Korea’s Park Sung-hyun won her first Major golf title, firing her second consecutive five-under 67 to capture the US Women’s Open as US President Donald Trump watched.

Sung-hyun, the event’s seventh South Korean winner in 10 years, finished 72 holes at Trump National on 11-under 277 to defeat 17-yearold South Korean amateur Choi Hye-jin by two strokes.

“I am excited and happy,” Sunghyun said through a translator. “It feels unreal to a certain extent.”

Deadlocked for the lead with Hye-jin, Sung-hyun sank a six-foot birdie putt at the par-four 17th, the fourth and final birdie of the round on the day’s hardest hole, then moments later chipped inches from the cup and tapped in at the par-5 18th to end it.

“When I was about to hit the fourth shot, my mind just went blank, but my caddie kept assuring me so I calmed down and made my shot, and when it went (so close) I was pleased,” Sung-hyun said.

“I did not have the best first and second rounds. I wanted to believe in myself for the remaining rounds so that helped, trusting myself.”

In her US Women’s Open debut last year, Sung-hyun led by two shots after 36 holes but closed with back-to-back 74s and settled for a share of third.

Sung-hyun, 23, took her first LPGA triumph as a Tour rookie. She won seven times on the Korean LPGA Tour last year, topping its money list.

Trump, who gave Sung-hyun a “thumbs up” sign after the victory, watched from an enclosed viewing area near the 15th green.

He was welcomed by most spectators despite outrage sparked by his controversial remarks about women during his presidential campaign.

With Trump watching, Sunghyun birdied the par-five 15th to seize the lead at 10-under and Hyejin followed with a six-foot birdie putt to match her.

But Hye-jin found the water with her tee shot at the 139-yard, parthree 16th for a double bogey that dropped her two back and Sunghyun birdied 17, her 12th birdie in 26 holes, to ensure Hye-jin’s birdie at 18 was too little and too late.

“There were some disappointing parts but I’m happy I was able to play very well in this tournament,” Hye-jin said.

World No. 1 Ryu So-yeon and Hur Mi-jung, also from South Korea, shared third on 281 with Spain’s Carlotta Ciganda, South Korean Lee Jeong-eun6 and China’s Feng Shanshan – who led after each of the first three rounds – sharing fifth on 282. – AFP