The final round of the 2012 U.S. Women's Open was an exciting look at how both skill, spirit and a little bit of luck played a part in the golf tournament. Although Na Yeon Choi pulled several tee shots into the woods, she never lost her cool and bowed briefly before her idol, Se Ri Pak, as if to say "thank you" for paving the way for Korean dominance in women's golf.
Here are a few quirky and funny notes and quotes from the final round of the U.S. Women's Open.
On Na Yeon Choi’s par-save from the tall grass on No. 12:
Dan Hicks – “She has experienced every type of emotion you can possibly have on the last three holes.”
Dottie Pepper – “Houdini would have been proud.”
On Na Yeon Choi’s tee shot off the rocks on 13:
Dan Hicks – “This is one of the biggest roller coaster rides I have seen in a long time on the back nine at an Open.”
On Na Yeon Choi’s lucky bounce past the bunker on her drive at 15:
Dottie Pepper – “I’m thinking if I’m Na Yeon Choi, I send my manager to go buy a lottery ticket.”
On Na Yeon Choi as she set up for a long putt on 16:
Dottie Pepper - “She’s put enough stress on herself to go around for a few people.”
On Na Yeon Choi after she made a long putt on 16, to go 8-under-par:
Dan Hicks - “It’s starting to look like destiny.”
On Na Yeon Choi:
Dan Hicks - “South Korean domination. We are going to have the tenth different Korean to win a women’s major, all in the last 15 years. Na Yeon Choi looks like she will be the latest.”
After microphones captured Na Yeon Choi speaking with her caddie before a shot on 18:
Annika Sorenstam – “Did you talk a lot with your caddie?”
Dottie Pepper- “I did, but I liked comparisons from other rounds. I have a really good memory for numbers. I always wanted to know how the hole I was playing compared to other holes. I could then make the appropriate decisions.”
On Na Yeon Choi:
Roger Maltbie - “She just never seemed to lose her cool. This girl is a solid player. She is going to be around for a long time.”
On Na Yeon Choi winning the 67th U.S. Women’s Open:
Dan Hicks – “This championship has come full circle. From Se Ri Pak in 1998 to Na Yeon Choi in 2012.”
Thanks to the NBC Sports Group for providing me with this information.
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