EDINA, Minn. (AP) — Cristie Kerr left Interlachen on Friday night with the same cocksure feeling she had when she won the U.S. Women's Open a year ago.
Speaking with the bravado of a defending champion, she said there was just something about this golf course nestled in the hilly terrain of suburban Minneapolis that stirred the same kind of fires that Pine Needles did last year.
After those bold proclamations and sharp play had her two shots off the lead, Kerr went quietly over the last two days of the tournament. Playing with Annika Sorenstam on Sunday, Kerr shot a 2-over 75 and tied for 13th.
She double-bogeyed Nos. 4 and 9 for a 39 on the front nine.
"I definitely enjoyed it. Yesterday, shot myself in the foot a little bit with the way I hit it," Kerr said, referring to another 75 on Saturday. "I came out today and played like a champ and shot two over with two doubles. I fought really hard. It didn't play easy out there. Not at all."
The most memorable part of this Open for the fiery American undoubtedly will be playing the final round with Sorenstam, who plans to retire at the end of the year.
Kerr had a ringside seat for Sorenstam's memorable finish, when she holed out for eagle with a 6-iron from 199 yards away on No. 18.
"I said, 'That's the best shot I've ever seen,"' Kerr told Sorenstam as they hugged. "She said, 'It's the only way I was going to break 80."'
Funny, but true. Sorenstam finished with a 75 as well.
Kerr said she thought she hit the ball very well on a windy day at Interlachen, but had some bad luck on No. 4, when her tee shot went in the bunker and left a tough lie.
"It just landed in a rake mark," Kerr said. "These bunkers are hard enough without it being in a hole, and I had no shot. So I did the best I could this week."
LEWIS FALLS BACK: After shooting a 67 on Saturday to become a surprise leader heading into the final round of her first professional tournament, Stacy Lewis came back to earth on Sunday.
She shot a 5-over 78 and tied for third at 4 under.
