KOHLER, Wisconsin – South Korea's Choi Na-yeon survived a tumultuous four-hole stretch after the turn to win her first major title by four shots at the US Women's Open here Sunday. A commanding six strokes ahead of the chasing pack overnight, Choi triple-bogeyed the 10th and did well to salvage pars at the 12th and 13th before regaining momentum to close with a one-over-par 73 at Blackwolf Run. The 24-year-old birdied the 15th and 16th in dazzling sunshine and shrugged off a bogey at the last for a seven-under total of 281, finishing four ahead of her fellow Korean and playing partner Amy Yang (71). World No. 5 Choi embraced her caddie in delight. She became the sixth Korean to win the US Women's Open, and the fifth in the last eight years. With her US Women's Open triumph, Choi emulated fellow Koreans Pak Se-ri (at Blackwolf Run in 1998), Birdie Kim (2005), Park In-bee (2008), Ji Eun-hee (2009) and Ryu So-yeon (2011). “Actually before Se-ri won in 1998, my dream was just being a professional golfer,” said Choi, who is projected to climb to second in the world rankings on Monday. “But after I watched her (win), she really inspired me to be a LPGA player. So I really appreciate what Seri did before and she is a legend in Korea.” Five-time major champion Pak, whose victory here 14 years ago sparked the Korean surge at the highest level in women's golf, led the charge on to the 18th green to congratulate Choi. Germany's Sandra Gal signed off with a 74 to end up alone in third place at one over, her first top-10 in a major championship. Shanshan Feng, the first player from mainland China to win a major title with victory at last month's LPGA Championship, closed with a 71 to share fourth place at two over with South Korea's Lee Il-hee (70) and Italy's Giulia Sergas (72). – Reuters
