Kang makes breakthrough as Perry wins fourth major
American Danielle Kang made her LPGA breakthrough in style by winning the second major of the women’s season, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, writes Martin Dempster.
The 24-year-old birdied the last at Olympia Fields in Illinois for a 13-under-par total, finishing a shot ahead of defending champion Brooke Henderson of Canada.
“Having a major championship in my resume, I don’t know what it will do,” said Kang as she savoured claiming a title that earned her a $525,000 pay-day.
“But I do know that having the US Amateur as majors, and having a major win, it’s amazing.”
South Korea’s Chella Choi, who had led going into the final round, finished third on 10-under after a 71
New world No 1 So Yeon Ryu tied for 14th while Lydia Ko ended up joint 59th after disappointing closing rounds of 76 and 75.
Elsewhere, Kenny Perry claimed his second US Senior Open and fourth over-50s major with an impressive victory at Salem Country Club in Massachusetts.
The 56-year-old from Kentucky had trailed fellow American Kirk Triplett by a shot heading into the final round but produced a brilliant bogey-free closing effort to win by two shots.
The two-under 68, which gave Perry a 16-under-par total, was the first flawless final round in the event by a winner since Bernhard Langer in 2010.
“It’s our goal to always win our championship,” said Perry as he savoured repeating his 2013 win in the USGA event. “I’ve never had such a mental challenge all week. It fell my way.”
Triplett closed with a 71 as he finished five shots ahead of third-placed Brandt Jobe, who stormed up the leaderboard on the back of a 62.
Senior Open champion Paul Broadhurst tied for 12th on three-under, one ahead of Bernhard Langer, while Colin Montgomerie was joint-42nd on four-over after a closing 69.