Lewis wins Women's British Open with strong finish

Stacy Lewis ended a streak of 10 major championships by Asian players with a victory on Sunday in the Women's British Open on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland.

The 28-year-old Lewis closed with two birdies and shot a par 72 in the final round for the second major title of her career. She overcame a late stumble by Na Yeon Choi, who had a three-stroke lead before she bogeyed three of the last six holes.

Choi, who bogeyed No. 17 to end her hopes, tied for second with Hee Young Park, two shots behind behind Lewis, who finished at 8-under-par 280. Lewis became the first American to win the Women's British Open since Sherri Steinhauer in 2006.

Lewis' up-and-down round included five birdies and five bogeys. She birdied the par-4 No. 17, the famous Road Hole, after a iron shot to 3 feet to take the lead.

"It's unbelievable," Lewis said. "It all happened so fast there at the end. You're fighting for every shot and all of a sudden it's over.

"I just love this golf course more than anything, the history of it. I thought if I could get to 7 under I could get in a playoff. But we got on 18 and said, 'Let's go for it.' I thought 8 under was going to be pretty tough to beat."

Lewis' victory in a major, the first by an American since she won the 2011 Nabisco Championship, also ended a bid by Inbee Park for a fourth consecutive victory in a women's major.

"To get that first major is pretty special, but this one is definitely high up on the list too," Lewis said.

Park's hopes were dashed early. She trailed by nine strokes entering the final round and then double-bogeyed the opening hole, closing with a 74-78 to finish at 6-over 294.

"I've done something amazing this season," Park said. "I won three straight majors. I don't know if I can do that again."

Suzann Pettersen and American Morgan Pressel shared fourth at 5-under 283 after closing with a 74 and 76, respectively. American Lizette Salas was sixth at 3-under 285 after a closing 73.

Pressel, who holed an 18-foot birdie putt to take a one-shot lead over Lewis into the fourth round, was hurt by a double bogey on No. 12 and a bogey on No. 17.