PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Cristie Kerr soared to a 12-stroke victory at the LPGA Championship on Sunday in one of the most lopsided wins at a major, leaving her in position to become the first American ranked No. 1.
Kerr closed with a birdie for 6-under-par 66, finishing at 19-under 269 after leading all four rounds. It is her second major title, the other coming at the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open.
“It’s been such an amazing week,” she said. “To win by that many shots in a major championship, that’s unreal.”
Kerr began the final round with an eight-stroke lead on a humid, overcast day at Locust Hill Country Club. She opened with six straight pars before birdieing three of her next four holes.
Kerr was projected by the LPGA to overtake Japan’s Ai Miyazato when the world rankings are released today.
Watson is in win column
CROMWELL, Conn. — Bubba Watson rallied from six strokes back and beat Scott Verplank on the second playoff hole with a par putt to earn his first PGA Tour victory at the Travelers Championship.
Watson (66), Verplank (64) and Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin (66) needed extra holes after they finished at 14-under par. Pavin was eliminated on the first playoff hole.
Footnotes.
Loren Roberts birdied the final hole for a closing 7-under 65 to win the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, N.Y., by one stroke over Fred Funk (65).
• David Horsey of England birdied the 18th hole to win the BMW International Open in Munich by one stroke.
The Associated Press
