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Kerr 'Just Knew' She Would Win

Published: Jul 2, 2007

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. - Some of Sunday's most exciting action was long forgotten by the time Cristie Kerr claimed the U.S. Women's Open title.

That's because it came early in the morning as the eventual final-round leaders jockeyed for position while completing their weather-delayed third round.

Kerr, with five holes remaining after she returned, made an immediate bogey but finished off a 5-under 66 to hold a one-shot lead at 4 under after 54 holes.

Lorena Ochoa was poised to join Kerr with a share of the lead but got too aggressive with a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole and wound up one shot back after a three-putt bogey for a 68.

Kerr would never give up the lead. Although Ochoa was tied for the lead at 4 under with five holes to play, Kerr birdied No. 14 and parred her way home for the win.

"It fits my eye," Kerr said of Pine Needles. "I'm comfortable here. I just knew I was going to win. I know that's kind of odd to say, but I just knew it."

SORENSTAM'S FUTURE: Annika Sorenstam, still healing back and neck problems that include a ruptured disc, remains winless since last year's U.S. Women's Open. Not only has she lost her No. 1 world ranking, but also may be seeing her shot at becoming the LPGA's all-time tournament winner get away.

The record of 88 career titles is held by Kathy Whitworth, set between 1962 and '85.

Sorenstam has 69, but is 36 and often talks of looking ahead to new challenges.

"The 88 has never really been my goal," said Sorenstam, who finished 32nd at 8 over. "When I came out here I was hoping to win one event. When I started to win a few more, then I set some new goals. But 88 has never really been my primary goal.

"What do I have, 69, that's a lot of wins left. And with the competition so tough and me starting to think about other things, I'm not sure that will happen.

"If I get close to 70, 75, I might get another boost and just keep on going. You never know. My goals today are a lot different than they were 12 years ago. So it's tough to predict, but that's not what drives me today."

TOUGH CLIMB: It takes a lot more than just good golf and a string of wins to be No. 1 in golf's world ranking.

As much as ability it takes a mind-set.

"Well, I knew I wanted to be No. 1 for a long time," said Ochoa, the 25-year-old from Mexico and golf's reigning queen, even after Sunday's tie for second. "I always tried to push myself as much as I can. And I have pretty high goals in junior golf and college and now in professional.

"I didn't want to be here just to be here. I wanted to be here and make sure I'm on the top. It's been a long process. I never said I'm going to get here; I'm going to be the best. You first have to respect and start getting your way little by little. I had my plan, my long-term goal of doing it in the next four or five years, to get to the No. 1 position. And that's what happened."

LINCICOME REVIEW: After posting a final-round 72 and finishing at 4 over and in 14th place, Seminole's Brittany Lincicome had no trouble identifying her shortcomings.

"My putting was unbelievably bad," she said. "I had no idea where it was going. I'd pull one, push one."

The two-time LPGA winner began the week with an even-par 71 that had her in early contention, and at one point in Saturday's third round was on the leader board at even par. But she admitted never feeling as if she was in contention.

"I hit a lot of fairways and my driver was fine, it was just all putting," she said.

Mick Elliott