Kang first since ‘96 to defend Women’s Am title
Danielle Kang became the first player in 15 years to successfully defend the U.S. Womens Amateur title, beating Thailands Moriya Jutanugarn 6 and 5 on Sunday in the 36-hole final in rainy and windy conditions at Rhode Island Country Club.
Kang, the 18-year-old Pepperdine star from Westlake Village, Calif., had a 4-up lead after 18 holes and finished off Jutanugarn with a par on the par-4 13th.
and one bogey in 31 holes. “I played the best round Ive played at a major championship. I played well last year, but not this well.”
Kang, who plans to turn pro, won last year at Charlotte Country Club in North Carolina. Kelli Kuehne was the last player to win two straight years, accomplishing the feat in 1995-96.
The 17-year-old Jutanugarn was the low amateur last month in the U.S. Womens Open.
“I played OK, but she made a lot of birdies,” Jutanugarn said.
Her 15-year-old sister, Ariya, her caddie, won the U.S. Girls Junior two weeks ago. They were trying to become the first family members to claim two USGA titles in the same year.
Print
Email a Friend
Facebook
Twitter
Stumble Upon
Google
Yahoo
Digg
Delicious
Share
