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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Kerr cruises at LPGA

Christie Kerr will earn the No. 1 ranking after her LPGA title. (Associated Press)
The Spokesman-Review

Cristie Kerr cruised to a 12-stroke victory in the LPGA Championship on Sunday in Pittsford, N.Y., in one of the most lopsided wins at a major, leaving her in position to become the first American ranked No. 1.

Kerr, the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open champion, closed with a 6-under 66 for a 19-under 269 total. She led wire-to-wire, opening with rounds of 68, 66 and 69.

Kerr broke the tournament record for victory margin of 11 set by Betsy King in 1992 and matched the second-biggest victory in a major. Louise Suggs set the record of 14 in the 1949 U.S. Women’s Open and Babe Zaharias won the 1954 U.S. Open by 12 strokes.

By winning at Locust Hill, Kerr will overtake Japan’s Ai Miyazato when the world rankings are released today.

Kerr, a 14-time tour winner who also won the State Farm Classic two weeks ago, will become the fifth player to hold the No. 1 spot since the rankings started in 2006.

Song-Hee Kim (69) was second.

Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., shot 74 on Sunday and finished at 10-over 298, good for a tie for 67th place.

PGA Tour

Bubba Watson won the Travelers Championship for his first PGA Tour title, overcoming a six-stroke deficit and beating Scott Verplank with a 3-foot par putt on the second hole of playoff in Cromwell, Conn.

Watson closed with a 4-under 66 to match Verplank (64) and Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin (66) at 14 under. Pavin, 50, dropped out on the first extra hole at TPC River Highlands.

Alex Prugh (Ferris HS) shot a 1-over 71 on Sunday, and finished the tournament with a 3-under 277. He finished tied for 57th.

Champions Tour

Loren Roberts birdied the final hole for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke victory over Fred Funk in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, N.Y.

Roberts finished at 15-under 201 for his 12th Champions Tour title.

Mark Calcavecchia had a 69 to tie for sixth at 12 under in the Champions Tour debut.