Anna Nordqvist grounded her club in a bunker in the second hole of a three-hole playoff to allow Brittany Lang to become the U.S. Women’s Open champion at CordeValle.
Lang parred the final playoff hole, the par-5 18th, to beat Nordqvist by two shots. Nordqvist lost the two shots from the penalty she was assessed at the second playoff hole, the 17th.
“It’s hard to lose that way, but it’s the game of golf,” Nordqvist said.
It was a heartbreaking end to a stellar day for Nordqvist as the Swede started the day 6 shots back, and shot a 5-under 67 to force a playoff with Lang.