Cristie Kerr wins U.S. Women's Open; Bateman breaks through at Buick Open

Cristie Kerr shot a final-round 70 at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club yesterday to defeat Lorena Ochoa and Angela Park at the U.S. Women’s Open. Kerr’s first major championship title, the U.S. Women’s Open victory comes after more than 10 years on the LPGA Tour …

“This is a long time coming,” Natalie Gulbis told reporters. “She’s been arguably the top American player for many years. To win the U.S. Open and be an American … it’s the biggest thing you can do as a professional female golfer. And how fitting that she was in red, white and blue.”

Brian Bateman earned his first PGA Tour title at the Buick Open Sunday, closing with a 3 under for a one-stroke victory. It was Bateman’s 151st PGA Tour event …

“Every player from Tiger Woods to Brian Bateman has to win their first one,” he told the media.

Meanwhile, Graeme Storm overcame a five-stroke deficit going into play Sunday to win the French Open by a stroke. Storm shot a closing 5-under 66 to become the European Tour’s 14th first time winner of 2007 …

At TravelGolf.com, Chris Baldwin writes about planning an affordable golf trip to Southern California.