LINCOLN, Calif., April 21 (UPI) -- Cristie Kerr claimed her first win in six LPGA Tour seasons Sunday, surviving a 3-over-par 75 to defeat Hee-Won Han of Korea by a stroke.
Kerr had gone 135 events without a title, having posted a pair of runner-up finishes in 2000. She tied for third twice in her first five starts this year.
After starting the round with a five-shot cushion, Kerr double-bogeyed the par-3 15th hole and was tied for the lead when Han birdied the 16th. But Han bogeyed No. 18 after driving into a golf cart to the left of the fairway.
Kerr sealed the win with a two-foot par putt and broke down in tears before accepting a hug from her caddie. The 24-year-old collected the $135,000 top prize, just $25,000 less than her season earnings.
At 8-under 211, Kerr finished a stroke ahead of the 23-year-old Han, who never had finished better than 10th in 32 LPGA Tour starts.
