Oregon, July 08: Hilary Lunke sank a 15-foot putt on the last green of an 18-hole play-off to clinch the US Women's Open. The 24-year-old finished one shot ahead of Angela Stanford at Pumpkin Ridge to become the first qualifier to win the most prestigious trophy in women's golf.
Americans Lunke, Stanford and Kelly Robbins went into a play-off after all three had finished on one under par after Sunday's final round.
Lunke was one under after the extra 18 holes with Stanford level par and Robbins two over.It was the second three-way play-off in the championship's history after Britain's Laura Davies beat American Joanne Carner and Ayako Okamoto of Japan to win the title in 1987. Despite missing the first six greens, Lunke was the most consistent of the three players.

Robbins began her round with three dropped shots in the first four holes after some wild shots.

Although she put herself back on track with three consecutive birdies, a double bogey at the 13th dented her chances againStanford dropped three shots in the first eight holes but did not concede another until the 17th.

She made a birdie on the last to tie for the lead before Lunke struck a 15-footer that broke sharply left and fall into the hole.

She thrust her arms in the air and sobbed as she hugged her family.

Lunke is the first player since Annika Sorenstam in 1995 to make her first LPGA victory the US Women's Open.

The 24-year-old is also the youngest American to win a Major for 16 years.

Bureau Report.