Salas Cruises to First Title


Lizette Salas closed with a tap-in par on the final hole to win the Kingsmill Championship for her first LPGA title.

Salas finished with an even-par 71 and a 72-hole total of 13-under 271 on the River Course at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., winning by four strokes.

Starting the final round with a three-stroke advantage over the field, it was up to Salas to maintain control from there. And the 24-year-old from Azusa, Calif., was ready, posting two birdies and two bogeys Sunday to cruise to her long-awaited maiden victory.

After sewing up the win, the popular Salas was greeted by Tour friends who ran onto the 18th green and doused her with champagne.

Salas had come close visiting to the winner's circle before, but never tasted victory. This year alone the four-time USC All-American has a second- and a third-place finish. In 2013 she was a member of the U.S. Solheim Cup team.

Those experiences helped Salas, who was taught golf by her father when she was seven years old. "I was patient, I was steady and I was happy," she said about her mindset during a greenside TV interview. "I was just so ready (for a win)."

In describing the stroll up the final hole, Salas noted, "I enjoyed that walk up 18." As for as persevering during her winless stretch, Salas said, "I was just patient."

Tied for second at 9-under 275 were Australia's Sarah-Jane Smith (66), former No. 1 Yani Tseng (69) and Lexi Thompson (69). Sharing fifth at 8-under were South Korea's So Yeon Ryu (69) and New Zealand's Lydia Ko (71). Alone in seventh was Thailand's Thidapa Swannapura (69).

Mina Harigae (68), Sandra Gal (69), Azahara Munoz (70) and Pornanong Phatlum (72) ended up in eighth at 278.

Hee Young Park played in the final group with Salas. After opening with rounds of 66, 68 and 69 to start the final day just three shots out of the lead, Park - a two-time LPGA winner - ballooned to an 8-over 79 and dropped into a tie for 29th at 2-under 282.

Also finishing at 2-under was three-time Kingsmill winner and defending champion Cristie Kerr, who posted a pair of 72s over the weekend.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.