Fil-Am Allisen Corpuz (CNN Ph Photo Courtesy)
SAN FRANCISCO — Allisen Corpuz, a Filipino-American golfer, secured her maiden LPGA victory in an exhilarating fashion on Sunday (Monday in Manila). She carded a remarkable 3-under par 69 to claim a three-stroke victory at the US Women’s Open.
Hailing from Honolulu and aged 25, Corpuz finished the demanding Pebble Beach course with a total score of 9-under 279 after 72 holes, surpassing England’s Charley Hull, who shot a final-round 66, and South Korea’s Shin Ji-yai, who posted a 68.
Corpuz expressed her elation, saying, “This week has felt absolutely unreal like a dream come true.” Her father originates from Ilocos Norte, while her mother is of Korean descent. “Being at Pebble this week has been an incredible experience,” she added.
Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, the leader after 54 holes, struggled in the final round, carding a 76 and finishing tied for fourth at 285 alongside American Bailey Tardy. Ayaka Furue of Japan and South Korea’s Kim Hyo-joo shared sixth place at 286.
Corpuz had previously contended for a major title at the Chevron Championship earlier this year, settling for fourth place. However, she fulfilled her potential at the iconic Pebble Beach, a course renowned for hosting legends like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
“In the past, I’ve played a bit conservatively, but today I went out there and believed that I had what it takes,” Corpuz explained. “I felt a little nervous at times, but overall, I felt comfortable.”
A crucial turning point occurred at the par-3 12th hole when Corpuz expertly escaped a bunker and sank a 16-foot par putt, while Hataoka missed a 5-foot par putt shortly after, falling two shots behind the American.
Hull closed the gap by sinking a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-5 16th, reaching 6-under, while Hataoka’s bogey on the 14th set her back. However, Corpuz responded swiftly, draining a 7-foot birdie putt at the par-5 14th and adding another from 4 feet at the 15th, catapulting her to 10-under and securing a four-shot lead over Hull.
Corpuz stumbled with a bogey on the par-3 17th but still emerged as the only player to finish the tournament with a score under par for all four rounds.
“Every few holes, I would look around and remind myself, ‘I’m at Pebble Beach; there aren’t many places better than this,'” Corpuz reflected. “So I made an effort to stay grounded and stick to my game.”
Corpuz started strong with a birdie putt from 5 feet on the opening hole. She saved par with a 10-foot putt at the par-5 second and followed it up with a 12-foot birdie at the third. However, she bogeyed the fourth after missing the green with her approach and failing to convert a 6-foot par putt.
She recovered with a birdie just beyond 10 feet at the par-3 seventh but dropped a shot with a bogey at the ninth after missing the green on her approach. Corpuz swiftly rebounded with a birdie putt from just under 9 feet on the 10th hole.
Hull’s superb 66, featuring six birdies, two bogeys, and an eagle, proved to be the lowest round of the day. Source: Online (ai/mnm)