America’s Allisen Corpuz is golf’s newest major champion scoring a stunning three-shot victory at the US Women’s Open. The 25-year-old from Hawaii becomes the first American in 20 years to claim the famed title as her maiden LPGA Tour victory. She joins Michelle Wie West as the only players from Hawaii to earn a women’s major. Corpuz celebrated her incredible feat at the 78th US Women’s Open with the scenic Pebble Beach Golf Links as she hoisted the Harton S Semple Trophy.
Corpuz fired rounds of 69, 70, 71 and 69 to reach 9-under at the coveted layout. She was the only player in the field to break par in all four rounds. Her final round included six birdies. She banks US$2 million first prize—the richest prize for an LPGA major championship.
England’s Charley Hull and Korea’s Jiyai Shin claimed a share of second place. The pair finished three shots back at 6-under. Hull fired the best score on Sunday by the field with an impressive 6-under 66. The 27-year-old, who started the final round seven shots off the lead, got busy early on Sunday with an eagle, birdie, birdie start from holes two to four. Hull matched her best finish at a major (T2 Chevron Championship in 2016). Shin, aged 35, closed with a 4-under 68. The two-time major champion made a birdie at Pebble Beach’s beautiful par 5 final hole to match Hull as runner up.
Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and America’s Bailey Tardy shared fourth place at 3-under. Hataoka, the 54-hole leader, stumbled with a 40 on the back nine to fall out of contention. Tardy, the 36-hole leader, carded 75 and 73 over the weekend for her best during her LPGA Tour rookie season.
Major champions Hannah Green and Minjee Lee along with LPGA Tour rookie Grace Kim shared the honours as the best-placed Australians. The trio finished in a tie for 13th place at 4-over. Green, aged 26, returned four birdies and one eagle during her 3-under 69. Lee, the defending champion, closed with a 3-over 75. Kim, who won her maiden LPGA title at the Lotte Championship in April carded 71 and 71 over the weekend.
The LPGA Tour moves to Ohio for next week’s Dana Open to be staged at Highland Meadow Golf Club. Mexico’s Gaby Lopez is the defending champion.
1. Allison Corpuz -9
T2. Charley Hull -6
T2. Jiyai Shin -6
T4. Bailey Tardy -3
T4. Nasa Hataoka -3
T6. Ayaka Furue -2
T6. Hyo Joo Kim -2
8. Hae Ran Ryu E
Australians
T13. Hannah Green +4
T13. Grace Kim +4
T13. Minjee Lee +4
T33. Gabriela Ruffels +8
MC. Amelia Garvey
MC. Maddison Hinson-Tolchard (a)
Photo credit: Ezra Shaw /Getty Images
