SOUTH HADLEY, Mass.- Merely a bystander during so many great moments in women's golf, Meg Mallon celebrated one of her own Sunday in the U.S. Women's Open.
Mallon had the lowest final round by a champion in the 59-year history of the Women's Open, 6-under 65 that allowed her to erase a three-shot deficit against Jennifer Rosales and leave Annika Sorenstam in a hopeless pursuit to catch her.
Not even the best in women's golf stood a chance on a steamy day at Orchard Golf Club.
Mallon finished at 10-under 274 for a two-shot victory over Sorenstam. It was her fourth career major, and she earned $560,000 from the richest purse in women's golf.
Thirteen years after she won the Women's Open at Colonial in scorching heat, Mallon again blistered the field by avoiding bogey over the final 25 holes and riding a hot putter that showed up just in time. She made a 50-foot birdie putt on No. 4 to gain momentum and an 18-footer on the 11th hole to take the lead for good.
The last of her 24 putts in the final round was a tap-in for par that set off a wild celebration with her family.
"The cup looked like a bucket, and it was a great day for that to happen," Mallon said.
Mallon, born in Massachusetts and beloved by all, has been privy to some magical moments on the LPGA Tour during the past several years.
She played with Sorenstam when the Swede became the first woman to shoot 59. She was with Juli Inkster when she won the LPGA Championship to complete the career Grand Slam. She played with Dottie Pepper at the Nabisco when she set the LPGA major championship scoring record at 19 under par.
This time, she made history of her own.
The 13-year gap between Women's Open wins is the largest in history. And the final round was one for the ages, breaking by one shot the previous best round by an Open champion, set by Juli Inkster two years ago at Prairie Dunes.
Just like then, Sorenstam was the runner-up by two shots and wondered what hit her.
She birdied the final two holes for 4-under 67 that made Mallon play hard until the very end, but she still had to settle for the consolation prize.
"I thought I put on a good performance today. It's all I could do," Sorenstam said.
Kelly Robbins was the main challenger on the back nine until a bogey on the 15th. Robbins, who lost in a three-way playoff last year at Pumpkin Ridge, closed with 69 and finished third.
Rosales made her first bogey at No. 7 and quickly fell apart. Starting the final round with a three-shot lead, she closed with a 75 and finished fourth.
Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer tied for low amateur.
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