Lewis ends Americans' drought in the majors

Stacy Lewis felt such a spiritual connection with St. Andrews that even when she was three behind with three to play, she never lost hope she could win the Women's British Open in Scotland.

No way could she have scripted a finish like this.

Facing the scariest shot and the hardest hole on the Old Course -- the approach to the 17th, the famous Road Hole -- Lewis pictured a low 5-iron that a right-to-left wind would knock down and allow to bounce up the slope toward the flag without going over the back of the green.

"It's one of those shots you see in your head, but you don't really ever pull it off," Lewis said. "And just off the club face, it was perfect."

The ball settled 3 feet away for birdie, the best shot of the tournament, maybe the best of her career.

Then, she wisely used putter from 40 yards short of the 18th green, through the Valley of Sin to 25 feet. Lewis bent over and placed both hands on her knees after making the putt, a birdie-birdie finish that gave another special moment at the home of golf -- her second major title.

Lewis saved her best for the final two holes of a marathon finish Sunday and closed with an even-par 72 for a two-shot victory over Na Yeon Choi and Hee Young Park. It ended a record drought for the Americans in the majors -- 10 straight, all won by Asian players.

"It's unbelievable," Lewis said. "It all happened so fast at the end. You're afraid for every shot, and all of a sudden you make a couple of birdies and it's over."

It was over early for Inbee Park and her bid to become the first pro golfer to win four straight majors in a single season. Returning to the Old Course in the morning in calm conditions to complete 14 holes of her third round, she couldn't make a putt and lost ground. Park had a 74-78 finish and wound up 14 shots behind.

"I'm really relieved," Park said. "I really enjoyed this week, every moment I was here. But it's tough to be in the center of everything for a week, and I feel exhausted."

For Lewis to have the silver trophy at her side required no less than her best golf over 36 holes Sunday.

The wind wasn't as bad as Saturday, when 40 mph gusts suspended play and forced 20 players go to 36 holes Sunday. But it was strong enough in the afternoon that Lewis was the only player at par or better from the last 21 groups that teed off.

Choi had a three-shot lead with six holes to play until she had a pair of three-putt bogeys from 80 feet. Her hybrid was too strong on the 17th and hung up on the collar of rough at the back of the green. She missed a 6-foot par putt that ended her chances, and she closed with a 73.

Choi saw that Lewis had posted at 8-under 280, she just didn't know how she got there. And she couldn't believe it when she heard.

"She got birdie on 17 and 18? That's huge, especially this golf course," Choi said. "I feel like I missed a couple putts out there, but still, she's playing well. She's playing better than me. I think that's why she won. I think I have to accept that."

Hee Young Park, one of four players who shared the lead at some point in the final round, had three straight bogeys on the back nine and shot 73. Morgan Pressel had the 54-hole lead after a 71 in the wind-delayed third round that was played Sunday morning. Pressel was one shot behind until a double bogey on No. 12, and she never caught up. Pressel shot 76 and tied for fourth with Suzann Pettersen (74).

Champions Tour

Tom Pernice Jr. birdied the final two holes for a one-stroke victory over Jeff Sluman and Corey Pavin in the 3M Championship in Blaine, Minn.

Pernice finished with a 4-under 68 and had a 17-under 199 total at the TPC Twin Cities for his second career Champions Tour victory. He also has two PGA Tour victories.

Sluman closed with a 62, and Pavin had a 66.

-- Associated Press