World number one Michelle Wie has won her first major title by claiming the US Women's Open Golf championship on Sunday at Pinehurst.
Michelle, who came into the final day with a three-shot lead, finished the final round at level-par 70. The 24-year-old was two shots clear of Stacy Lewis of the United States and achieved her biggest success to date.
"Oh my God, I can't believe this is happening," Wie said. "Obviously, there are moments of doubt in there. But obviously, I had so many people surrounding me. They never lost faith in me. That's pushed me forward."
"I think that without your downs, without the hardship, I don't think you appreciate the ups and much as you do," Wie added. "I think the fact that I struggled so much, the fact that I kind of went through a hard period of my life, the fact that this trophy is right next to me, it means so much more to me than it ever would have when I was 15. I feel extremely lucky."
Stacy ended the final round with eight birdies and four bogeys to finish the round on tied first place. The 29-year-old, who led the opening round, failed to perform on Friday and Saturday and only managed 73 and 74, respectively.
"I think that scene on 18, being on network TV, as many people as we had around there at Pinehurst No. 2 and Michelle Wie winning the golf tournament, I don't think you can script it any better," Lewis said. "I think it's great for the game of golf. I think it's even better for women's golf. I'm so happy for Michelle Wie. I mean, this has been such a long time coming for her."
Stephanie Meadow of Ireland claimed her best finish in a major event by finishing the tournament on shared third place with a score of one under par 69 in the last round.
Meanwhile, Juli Inkster finished on tied 15th place in her 35th appearance in the US Open. The 53-year-old Hall of Famer, playing last time here, finished with seven over 75 score and received the loudest cheer from the crowd.
"I was disappointed in the way I played today, as a golfer, but that was my first thought," Inkster said. "But as a person I just felt a lot of pride that people root for me like that."
