“Birdie’s” birdie finish secures shock US Open victory

SHE gave herself the nickname “Birdie” to distinguish herself from the other girls on the LPGA Tour. All it took was one shot - a spectacular birdie from the bunker - to make a most unlikely US Women’s Open champion.

Going shot-for-shot with 17-year-old amateur Morgan Pressel in a tense duel at Cherry Hills, “Birdie” Kim, the 23-year-old South Korean, was trying to get close for par when she holed a 30-yard bunker shot across the 18th green.

“I can’t believe it,” she said. “I don’t think I was going to make it.”