LPGA Tour Kia Classic final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
For the very first time this 2015 season an American woman has actually won an LPGA event. Whether you see it as good or bad, this tour is now dominated by a 17 year old sensational Kiwi (of South Korean birth) called Lydia Ko, and a steady stream of diminutive stars from South Korea, Taiwan and Japan..
Four birdies in a five-hole stretch helped Cristie Kerr erase a 3 shot deficit in the final round at Aviara Golf Club. Four straight birdies on the back nine enabled her to pull away from Mirim Lee and Lydia Ko.
Kerr closed with a -7 65 for a 2-shot victory, the 17th of her career, this one different from all the others. Before posing with the trophy, Kerr first clutched her 15-month-old son, Mason, to celebrate her first win as a mom.
Kerr ended 42 straight LPGA events without a victory dating to the 2013 Kingsmill Championship. She finished at -20 268, breaking by 6 shots the 72-hole scoring record at a tournament that began in 2010.
As I mentioned it also ended a streak of seven consecutive LPGA events won by South Korean-born players dating to the CME Group Tour Championship last year.
Ko was tied for the lead with a birdie on the par-3 14th hole, but she finished with a three-putt bogey on the 18th for a 67 to finish third for her 28th consecutive round under par on the LPGA Tour, one short of the record Annika Sorenstam.
The 37-year-old Kerr couldn't hold back tears after she won. The father of her caddie, Greg Johnston, died a week ago and Kerr said she wanted to win it for both of them.
Next week they move from San Diego to the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills, the first LPGA major of the year.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP )
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