Women’s Open Spins Drama

KOHLER, Wis. —  Two 20-year-olds will meet today in an 18-hole playoff to determine the youngest winner in the history of the U.S. Women’s Open.

That place in history was reserved Sunday when 20-year-old amateur Jenny Chuasiriporn made a dramatic 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole and then watched as fellow 20-year-old Se Ri Pak missed an eight-footer for birdie on the same hole that would have meant a victory on the unforgiving 6,412-yard Blackwolf Run Golf Course, where only one golfer has broken par since Friday.

Because Chuasiriporn is an amateur, Pak got the $267,500 first-place check before she left the clubhouse.

When her improbable birdie putt on 18 fell, Chuasiriporn put her left hand over her mouth in amazement, then double high-fived her caddie and brother, Joey.

“Just incredible,” said Chuasiriporn, who began Sunday’s round four strokes back and finished in a tie for the tournament lead at six-over-park 290. “Wow.”

Chuasiriporn’s putt was preceded by Pak’s bogey on the par-three 17th that moved the amateur within one stroke. Only Chuasiriporn didn’t have a clue. “Right before she hit the putt, I looked up at the leaderboard and saw them change Pak’s score,” Joey Chuasiriporn said. “When the putt went in, everything happened so fast I didn’t even have time to tell her.”

Added Jenny Chuasiriporn: “I thought I was playing for second. It wasn’t until right before she putted that I realized she was putting for the win.”

Pak, who began the day with a one-stroke lead, had a five-over 76 final round, capped by the final birdie miss by two inches.

“It was difficult to play [Sunday], and I didn’t play my best,” Pak said. “Hopefully, I’ll play better Monday. I wasn’t nervous. It’s been a great week and a tough course and I’m still tied for first.”

Chuasiriporn, who was fifth at the NCAA championships at Madison, Wis., two months ago, will try to become the first amateur to win an Open since Catherine LaCoste in 1967. Her 72-hole total is the lowest ever for an amateur in an Open.

Pak, South Korea’s most famous athlete, who won the LPGA Championship in May, is seeking to become the first rookie to win two majors since Juli Inkster captured the Nabisco Dinah Shore and du Maurier Ltd. Classic in 1984. The last woman to win consecutive majors was Meg Mallon in 1991.

Because Joey Chuasiriporn also is a golfer--he plays at Penn State--he had to cancel his appearance at the Eastern Amateur today--and gladly.

“This is truly amazing,” he said. “I’ve caddied for her since junior golf and nothing like this has ever happened to us.”

Said Pak: “The last putt went straight and it needed to break,” she said with a shrug.

Annika Sorenstam, the 1995 and ’97 Open winner, would like to forget the Open, where she finished at 18-over 302.

“I’m glad this week is over,” she said.

It isn’t for Chuasiriporn and Pak.