Ryu wins U.S. Women's Open

COLORADO SPRINGS, July 11 (UPI) -- Ryu So-yeon birdied the final hole of regulation, forcing a three-hole playoff, which she won Monday for her first U.S. Women's Open golf title.

Ryu had to play the final three holes of her fourth round Monday morning in Colorado Springs and capped that with a birdie at the 18th hole that tied Seo Hee-kyung for the tournament lead. She finished the three-hole playoff at 2-under while Seo was 1-over.

Weather had been an issue throughout the event and tournament officials tried to squeeze in 36 holes of golf Sunday. But several players, including Ryu, were on the course when play was stopped because of darkness.

Seo was in the clubhouse at 3-under 281 and Ryu's birdie on the 72nd hole also got her to 3-under. Cristie Kerr, who finished up a final round 71 Monday, ended up at 1-under 283 and was the only other player to beat par for the tournament.

In the playoff, both Ryu and Seo had two-putt pars at the 16th hole. Seo had her drive at 17th go bad and ended up with a bogey while Ryu had a birdie. Ryu added a birdie at 18, where Seo had a par, for the final margin of victory.