Michelle Wie won the US Women’s Open on Sunday, firing an even-par final round of 70 at Pinehurst for the first major title of her career.
The American, tipped for stardom even before she turned pro at the age of 15 in 2005, finished with a two-under total of 278, two strokes in front of world number one Stacy Lewis, who carded a final-round 66 for 280.
“I just had a lot of fun out there,” said Wie. “I woke up so excited. I was so grateful for this opportunity.”
Wie saw a three-stroke lead shrink to one with a double-bogey at 16 but responded by burying a long birdie putt at 17 to take a two-stroke lead to the final hole.
“I got a lot of goosebumps walking up 18,” said Wie, who allowed herself a small smile and wave as she was greeted at the 18th green by a standing ovation.
Wie, swept along by a wave of hype and endorsements when she turned pro, drew criticism for her early insistence on trying to challenge in men’s events before she’d become a proven winner against the world’s top women.
Sunday’s triumph was her fourth on the LPGA Tour, and her second of the year.
In April she won the Lotte Championship in her home state of Hawaii to end a victory drought stretching to 2010.
The major title, on the course where Germany’s Martin Kaymer lifted the US Open trophy in the second men’s major of the season a week earlier, also helped erase the memory of her near-miss in the Kraft Nabisco Championship this year.
She went into the final round of the year’s first major at Rancho Mirage tied for the lead but ended up second behind 19-year-old Lexi Thompson.