Eun Hee Ji of South Korea made a dramatic birdie putt from far away to win the Women’s U.S. Open. The twenty year old made a come back after being behind front runner (& defending champ) Christie Kerr all day, but she was cool as a cucumber and gutted out a victory to become the 3rd South Korean player in the last 4 years to win the biggest golf tournament on the LPGA tour.
As a side note, there were 16 countries represented by 72 players making the cut; 27 from the United States, 21 from South Korea and 5 from Japan. Very impressing showing of the South Korean contingency.
Here’s the interview with Eun Hee Ji after the touranment.
RHONDA GLENN: Ladies and gentlemen, our 2009 United States Women’s Open Champion, Eun Hee Ji. Congratulations to you.
EUN HEE JI: Thank you.
RHONDA GLENN: You know, how do you feel about your victory?
EUN HEE JI: (Through translation.) I, you know, I didn’t even dream about winning this tournament, but, well, you know, I did it, and I think this is going to be one of the most memorable moments in life.
Q. Could you talk us through that putt on 18? What were you thinking? How did it break? And then once it went in, did you have any immediate thoughts that you can remember?
EUN HEE JI: (Through translation.) Well, I’m going to start off from the very beginning on the 18th.
I know yesterday when I hit my driver, I hit it into the bunker, so my mindset coming there today was to make sure to avoid the bunker. I noticed the USGA switched off the tee box, as well. That was the first shot.
And on the second shot, I just wanted to make sure I saved the par. But the distance was perfect and spin was just ideal. So it was a very good shot.
On the green, I knew the worst possible scenario was the playoff, so I cleared my mind and thought, you know, let’s give it a try, and then it just sunk in. Just went in.
Right before hitting the putt, I was nervous to the point where my hands were shaking, but, you know, once again, I told myself to just make sure I saved par.
Q. How big will this — do you expect your win to be, back in Korea?
EUN HEE JI: (Through translation.) Well, I think it’s going to be all over the news in Korea. You know, I’m going to have to go for a lot of different interviews once I get back. And I think that also there will be a lot more people recognizing me now.
Q. Have you birdied the 72nd hole to win a golf tournament before, or was this the first time you’ve made birdie on the last hole to win a golf tournament?
EUN HEE JI: (Through translation.) I believe this is my first.
Q. (Through translation.) When paired up with Cristie Kerr, especially on the last round, sometimes players get nervous or pressured when playing with Cristie. Was there anything that helped you in that regard?
EUN HEE JI: (Through translation.) I never felt that way about Cristie, to be honest, and she’s very nice to me, and she’s a nice girl.
Her caddie and my caddie Zach and Cristie they’re all good friends, so no pressure and nothing different.
Q. What was going through your mind during the putt right there at the end?
EUN HEE JI: I told myself that the worst scenario that could happen was to go into playoff, save par and go into playoff, so I was pretty confident, felt at ease and when I hit it, it just went in.
Q. It seemed like a lot of the other players faded down the stretch. You turned up your play. What was the difference there do you think for yourself, with the course being so tough and playing so tough today?
EUN HEE JI: You know, the biggest factor at the biggest moment was at hole No. 10 when I had a double bogey.
I just calmed myself down after that and decided to play comfortably and was able to play it out.
Q. Some people have waited their hole lives to win a U.S. Open. You do it in your second try. How do you explain that?
EUN HEE JI: Wow. You know, I like it and I’m really happy, and you know, this being the major tournament, I think this will be one of the most memorable moments in my life.
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