Jeongeun Lee6’s victory in the 74th U.S. Women’s Open Championship on Sunday marked the 18th win in the last 36 women’s Major championships for players from the Republic of Korea.
Lee6 is also the 11th different player in 11 years to win the U.S. Women’s Open and the ninth different player to win a Major in the past nine. The 23-year-old broke out of a crowded leader board with three back-nine birdies and withstood some late struggles to shoot 70 for a six-under-par 278 total and a two-shot victory at the Country Club of Charleston. The six-time Korea LPGA winner pocketed US$1 million in notching her first victory in the United States.
“She couldn’t imagine coming this far,” said Jennifer Kim, Lee6’s manager and translator. “She feels proud of herself, and she worked so hard.”
Lexi Thompson, Angel Yin and 2011 U.S. Women’s Open champion So Yeon Ryu finished tied for second place at four-under 280. Thompson, 24, was seeking to join Inbee Park as the only players to win the U.S. Women’s Open and the ANA Inspiration before age 25, but hit only six fairways and struggled to a round of 73.
