Later, Han said that she vowed she would not make a mistake on any of the last four holes. And indeed, she played those holes like a pro, matching Mallon shot for shot. But it was not as cut and dried as that. Han and Mallon both birdied 15. On 16, a par 3 with a devious green, Hee-Won had relatively little trouble with her par. But Mallon, who was about twenty feet from the hole, nearly sank a ridiculous snaking putt for birdie that broke so much it was downright silly. On 17 again, Hee-Won made par, while Meg just missed a long birdie try.

So it all came down to 18, and with a two shot lead, all Hee-Won had to do was not make a big mistake and hope Mallon didn't make eagle. But this was a par 5, and both ladies reached the fringe of the green in two. Hee-Won got to within 4 feet, then watched as Mallon stroked a 60 foot eagle putt. Believe it or not, that, too, came up just short. But it did miss, and Hee-Won smiled broadly as the camera caught her in her relief. Now she had two putts from 4 feet to win her first title. And she did it in style, nailing the birdie. She was exultant, smiling broadly, throwing the ball into the stands (in a very girly style, I might add; she made Mi Hyun Kim's similar throw at last year's Wendy's Championship look like Randy Johnson). Though she gamely tried to answer questions in English for Kay Cockerill, she could get out little other than that she was very happy.

Hee-Won waves to the crowd after her win
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

Hee-Won gets interviewed on TV
LPGA.COM

Afterwards, Meg was asked if Hee-Won had the stuff to be a star on tour. She replied, 'Absolutely, especially the way she handled herself today. I think she has a lot of drive. She will do well. Judging by her character in coming back from last year, the determination to win this tournament. ' Time will tell how much this will impact her career, but considering she followed this win up with a second at the Evian Masters, and then a top twenty at the British Open, we can surmise that she is very interested in proving Meg right.