Ji birdies final hole, wins U.S. Open

BETHLEHEM, Pa., July 12 (UPI) -- Eun Hee Ji sank a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole Sunday and won the U.S. Women's Open, her first major championship.

Ji shot an even-par 71 for an even-par 284, a stroke ahead of Candie Kung, who closed with a 69.

Christie Kerr, the third-round leader who won the Open in 2007, slipped to a 74 and tied for third place with In-Kyung Kim (70) at 2-over 286.

"I was very nervous before the last putt and quite frankly, I am still very nervous," Ji said through a translator after the victory in Bethlehem, Pa.

"Dream come true; that's what this means," Ji said.

The South Korean golfer won $585,000 in her second victory on the LPGA Tour.

Brittany Lincicome (70) placed fifth at 3-over 287. Paula Creamer (69), Ai Miyazato (69) and Suzann Pettersen shared sixth at 288.

World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa (72) was in a group tied for 26th place.