SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The flu didn’t get to Cristie Kerr during the week. The weather didn’t get to her over the weekend.
And none of her competitors could stop her from collecting a second LPGA State Farm Classic championship Monday.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Kerr said. “An amazing, long week.”
Kerr held off late challenges by Anna Nordqvist and Na Yeon Choi at the rain-delayed tournament, shooting a 3-under-par 69 in the final round at Panther Creek Country Club to secure the first LPGA Tour victory by an American since Michelle Wie won the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in November.
Kerr, who also won the title in 2004, finished at 22-under 266, a shot ahead of Nordqvist and Choi. She was pumped up to get the win.
“That definitely motivates me to be the top American and top player on tour,” said Kerr, who won $255,000 to move into the second on the money list — $60,000 behind Ai Miyazato. “I’m just happy not to have to answer, ‘Why are there no American winners anymore?’ “
Juli Inkster, second after a first-round 65 had her tied for second, shot 68-71 on the weekend to end in 35th.
Karrie Webb made her way into a tie for 11th with a final-round 65. Natalie Gulbis went 4-under in her closing round to finish tied for 36th and Wie finished at 6-under, tied for 52nd.
Kerr led after third-round play was completed Sunday morning and would have been the champ if the fourth round had been washed out.
But with more than half the round completed when heavy rains and lightning rolled in Sunday, tour officials decided to try to finish the tournament Monday.
Mickelson has shot at taking top spot from Tiger
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Masters champion Phil Mickelson has another chance to replace Tiger Woods at No. 1 in the world this week at the U.S. Open, and this might be his best chance yet.
Mickelson can reach No. 1 for the first time in his career by winning at Pebble Beach. But there are more scenarios in Mickelson’s favor.
He would go to No. 1 by finishing runner-up as long as Woods finishes out of the top four. Mickelson could finish third at the U.S. Open and go to No. 1 if Woods were to finish out of the top 18.
If Woods, who has been No. 1 for the past five years, misses the cut, Mickelson would need no worse than a two-way tie for third.
