BETHLEHEM — South Korea's Eun Hee Ji made the U.S. Women's Open memorable for more than a lingering LPGA Tour hierarchy dispute.

Former champion Cristie Kerr failed to hold the lead, and Ji punctuated a frantic final round Sunday by rolling in a lengthy birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win the Women's Open.

"I didn't even dream about winning this tournament, but, well, I did it, and I think this is going to be one of the most memorable moments in my life," Ji said through an interpreter.

The unlikely birdie and improbable victory by the 23-year-old provided a respite from the dispute between LPGA Tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens and more than a dozen top tour players who signed a letter calling for her resignation.

The news broke at the start of championship week, and now the situation seems to be coming to a head.

LPGA Tour veteran Juli Inkster, who is on the tour's Board of Directors, said Sunday she expects a resolution sometime this week and that the board will search for an interim replacement before eventually hiring a new commissioner.

But late Sunday afternoon, the focus was on golf and the final pairing playing the 72nd hole of the championship — and Ji seized the moment, capping an even-par 71 with a near 20-footer for birdie to claim the national championship.

Her putt spoiled a strong two-round rally by Candie Kung. Kung vaulted from 37th to a tie for fifth in the third round and was tied with Ji at 1-over before the winning putt.

Ji recovered from two bogeys in her first four holes and a double-bogey at the 10th, making three birdies over the final six holes to finish even with a 284 at Saucon Valley Country Club.

Ji is another of a legion of South Korean players who were inspired to play the game by 1998 champion Se Ri Pak. She claimed the biggest prize in golf in just her second try, after finishing tied for 42nd last year.

She is the second straight South Korean to win the event, following Inbee Park. Countrywoman Birdie Kim claimed the championship in 2005.

Kung, of Taiwan, had a 2-under 69 and was alone in second at 1-over 285.

Despite her struggles, Kerr held the lead until the back nine and shot a 4-over 75, tying In-Kyung Kim of South Korea for third at 2-over 286.

Ji made a double-bogey at the 10th, but said it had a calming effect. She went on to make birdies on the 13th, 14th and 18th.

Deere Classic

SILVIS, Ill. — Steve Stricker remembers the strong start to his career in the 1990s and the deep bunker he hit after that, so he can't quite pinpoint where his standing in the game is.

He just knows it's good.

"I had a lot of good things happen to me the last four years," Stricker said.

The latest is this.

Stricker followed the lowest round of his career with 36 solid holes Sunday to win the John Deere Classic by three strokes.

Stricker, who tied the course record Saturday, fired a 7-under 64 in the fourth round after starting the day with a third-round 68 to finish at 264 for the tournament. That was good enough to give him his second PGA Tour win this year and sixth in all, not to mention a heavy dose of momentum heading into the British Open to go with thewinner's check.

"I do think about where I was five years ago a lot," said Stricker, now second behind Tiger Woods in the FedEx Cup standings.

He'll take this, though.

Local favorite Zach Johnson (64, 66), Brandt Snedeker (68, 65) and Brett Quigley (62, 67) all tied for second at 17 under.