Park tops amateur Choi to win U.S. Women's Open

With a round of 5-under 67, Sung Hyun Park rallied to win the U.S. Women’s Open by two over 17-year-old amateur Hye-Jin Choi. Here’s how Park won her first major title at Trump National Bedminster:

Leaderboard: Park (-11), Choi (-9), M.J Hur (-7), So Yeon Ryu (-7), Carlota Ciganda (-6), Shanshan Feng (-6)

What it means: A five-time winner in Asia, this is Park’s first victory in the United States. In less than two full LPGA seasons, she had already racked up nine top-10 finishes, four runner-ups, and a tie for third at last year’s U.S. Women’s Open at Cordevalle, where she held the 36-hole lead. Three back to start the day, she poured in six birdies against a lone bogey. As Choi was making double bogey at the 16^th hole, Park was rolling in a birdie from 6 feet at 17, taking her from tied with two to go to up two with one to play. A tricky up-and-down from a tight lie long of the final green saved Choi her par, and her victory was secured when Feng failed to hole-out for eagle moments later. Park is now the seventh South Korean in the last 10 years to win the U.S. Women’s Open.

Biggest disappointment: The amateur Choi stood on the 16^th tee tied for the lead. At 17 years old, she was three holes from perhaps becoming the youngest major champion in history. But her tee shot at the par-3 found the water and the resulting double bogey ended her chances. Nonetheless, a birdie at 18 and a mini-meltdown from Feng left her in solo second.

Expensive mistake: Unable to win and playing from roughly the same spot over the 18^th green where Park had just saved par, Feng stubbed her chip shot and ran her fifth shot past the hole. She then three-putted for triple bogey, a round of 75, and a tie for sixth at 6 under.

Round of the day: After taking herself out of the tournament on Saturday, Minjee Lee rallied back from a third-round 77 with a Sunday 66, featuring five birdies across her final eight holes. The late rally bumped her up into a tie for 10^th.

Shot of the day: Park’s delicate pitch from over the back of the 18^th green. She one-hopped her ball into the bank and watched as it trickled towards the hole, settling a foot from the cup. She cleaned up for par and locked up her first major.

Quote of the day: “I wanted to believe in myself.” – Park