Cristie Kerr caps LPGA Championship with 12-stroke victory, poised to take over No. 1 in world

Kerr caps LPGA Championship with 12-stroke win

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Cristie Kerr has shot a 6-under 66 to win the LPGA Championship by 12 strokes and is set to become the first American to top the world rankings.

Beginning the final round Sunday with an eight-stroke lead, Kerr opened with six pars before getting birdies on three of her next four at Locust Hill Country Club. Kerr won the $337,500 first prize and the LPGA projected she will take over top spot in the world ahead of Japan’s Ai Miyazato when the rankings are released Monday.

Miyazato shot 66 to finish 5 under in a tie for third with Jiyai Shin (71). Song-Hee Kim (69) was second.

Kerr finished with a 19-under 269 to win her 14th career tournament and second major after the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open.