AP, Carlsbad :
The birdie putts had not even reached the hole when Cristie Kerr marched right after them because she knew they were going in. Sunday at the Kia Classic had a familiar feeling to Kerr, even though so much in her life has changed.
Four birdies in a five-hole stretch helped Kerr erase a three-shot deficit in the final round at Aviara Golf Club. Four straight birdies on the back nine enabled her to pull away from Mirim Lee and 17-year-oldLydia Ko.
Kerr closed with a 7-under 65 for a two-shot victory, the 17th of her career, this one different from all the others. Before posing with the trophy, Kerr first clutched her 15-month-old son, Mason, to celebrate her first win as a mom.
“I could just tell by everybody’s reaction that I had won,” Kerr said. “It was just amazing having him there, and he just gave me a big smile and a squeak. He’s screaming now. That’s his thing, and I always hoped this day would come. And now it has. Just so proud.”
Kerr ended 42 straight LPGA events without a victory dating to the 2013 Kingsmill Championship. She finished at 20-under 268, breaking by six shots the 72-hole scoring record at a tournament that began in 2010.
