Just in time for July 4th, an American wins the US Women's Open

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. - Morgan Pressel stepped out of the scorer’s trailer and headed straight for grandfather Herb Krickstein’s arms. “I can’t believe it,” she sobbed on his shoulder.

“There’ll be a next time,” offered her grandmother, Evelyn, patting Morgan on the back.

Pressel started the day in the final pairing at 3-under, just a stroke off the lead. She ended far from where she hoped to be, in a four-way tie for 10th after throwing up two birdies, six bogeys, and a double to end at 3-over.

Pressel was comforted not only by her grandparents, but also by one of her best friends, the tournament’s winner, Cristie Kerr.

“We’re very good friends,” says Kerr. “She was a bridesmaid in my wedding. I said, ‘Thank you for being there for me, and next time I’ll be there for you.’”

Yes, there’ll always be a next time.

Lorena Ochoa will have to wait till next time too. She also began the day just a stroke off Cristie Kerr’s lead. In what became a head-to-head shootout against Kerr, Ochoa kept pace and still had a chance to pull ahead until the 17th hole, where her bogey gave Kerr a comfy two-stroke cushion. Only a mistake on Kerr’s part would give Ochoa her first major, and Kerr was making no mistakes today.

Kerr’s 5-under finish earned her $560,000 for her 10th career victory, and most importantly, her first major. It was a moment she’s dreamed of since she was a little girl.

How does she feel? “Awesome.”

Somehow Kerr knew this was going to be her week. “I just knew I was going to win. I know that’s kind of odd to say, but I just knew it,” she says. “When I stepped on the grounds this week it was just magic.”