Going into the last day, Minjee Lee (AUS) (the 2022 U.S. Women's Open Champion) led the tournament at 5 under par after shooting a blistering 66 on Saturday. She was tied with Andre Lee and and Wichanee Meechai, both of whom were also 5 under through three rounds at the very challenging Lancaster C.C.
On Sunday, however, all of these women collapsed. Minjee Lee shot a 78 and finished in a tie for 9th. Meechai shot a 77 and finished in a tie for 6th. Andrea Lee hung around the longest, but she shot a 75 that left her in a tie for third.
So your winner was Yuka Saso. In 2021 she won this tournament while playing for the Philippines, and today she won it while playing for Japan. At the beginning of the day, she was 2-under par and three shots behind the leaders. But while they all faded, she shot a brilliant 68 and finished with a three shot lead. She has had an unusual career. She is only 22 years old (she turns 23 later this month). She has only won two tournaments on the L.P.G.A. Tour. But they are both U.S. Women's Opens. She becomes the first two-time winner of the U.S. Women's Open since Inbee Park won the title in 2008 and 2013.
Miss Asterisk Talley shot 78 and 73 over the last two days and finished in a tie for 44th with two other American amateurs: Miss Megan Schofill of Monticello, Fla., the 2023 U.S. Women's Amateur Champion who plays for Auburn, and Miss Catherine Park of Irvine, Calif., who plays for Southern Cal. Together, these three shared the Low Amateur title.
1. Yuka Saso (JPN): -4 (68+71+69+68=276)
2. Hinako Shibuno (JPN): -1 (71+70+66+72=279)
T3. Ally Ewing: Even (74+72+68+66=280)
T3. Andrea Lee: Even (69+69+67+75=280)
5. Arpichaya Yubol (THA): +1 (72+72+68+69=281)
T6. Ayaka Furue (JPN): +2 (71+72+71+68=282)
T6. Atthaya Thitkul (THA): +2 (74+72+68+68=282)
T6. Wichanee Meechai (THA): +2 (69+67+69+77=282)
T9. Rio Takeda (JPN): +3 (74+69+69+71=283)
T9. Sakura Koiwai (JPN): +3 (72+69+70+72=283)
T9. Minjee Lee (AUS): +3 (70+69+66+78=283)
Wow! That is a crazy finish.
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