Jutanugarn wins U.S. Women's Open at Shoal Creek
SHOAL CREEK – Ariya Jutanugarn hoped there would be no drama on Sunday.
The 22-year-old from Thailand entered the final round on Sunday with a four-shot lead in the 73rd U.S. Women’s Open at the Shoal Creek Golf Club.
Although she increased the edge to seven strokes at the turn, she didn’t get her wish. But she did hang on for the win.
Jutanugarn withstood a troublesome back nine and a charge from Hyo-joo Kim to win the major championship on the fourth playoff hole. The duo ended regulation tied at 11-under par and four extra holes were required to decide the first women’s major played in the state of Alabama.
“I’m really proud of my front nine,” Jutanugarn said following the win. “I did everything I wanted to do. I never think about the outcome but that back nine got me a lot.”
Jutanugarn led Australia’s Sarah Jane Smith by four strokes heading into the final round and extended the edge to seven strokes over second place through nine holes. She posted a triple bogey on 10 and also bogeyed holes 12, 17 and 18, as Kim posted a pair of birdies on the back.
Even though things weren’t going well, Jutanugarn attempted to grin and bear it.
“Honestly, I tried to smile because I felt like if I could keep doing that, I would be happy,” she said. “It didn’t really work, but I tried hard to do that.”
Danielle Kang was the highest finishing American, as she bookended the tournament with a pair of 69s and completed the four days with a score of -3, good for fourth overall. Lexi Thompson made a run up the leaderboard, but gave away three strokes over the final three holes to finish -2 (tied for fifth) for the tournament.
Emma Talley, a graduate of the University of Alabama and a Shoal Creek member, competed in her first U.S. Women’s Open. She made the cut but finished with an overall 8-over par score.
“This is a dream come true, getting to play the U.S. Open at your home course,” she said. “I didn’t play very well but I’ll remember this forever.”
Talley was one of many players to give credit to the Shoal Creek staff throughout the week, as heavy rain and storms threatened to wreak havoc with the tournament schedule and playing rules.
The second round was completed on Saturday morning, as 78 players were unable to finish on Friday after a weather delay. The course was also closed much of Wednesday due to dangerous conditions.
“I’m very honored to be able to be a member here and Shoal Creek did a wonderful job,” Talley said. “We got done on a Sunday. If you would have told me that on Wednesday, I would not have believed you.”
Kang also had high praise for the course conditions.
“The golf course was impeccable this week,” she said. “I know there was a lot of talk between whether the golf course is wet but out of all that rain, the golf course is in great shape.”
Michelle Wie posted a 71 (-1) on Sunday to finish the tournament tied for 10th place at even par.