Eun Jung Lee

Eun Jung Lee, 17, of Korea, overcame a five-hole deficit to defeat Tiffany Chudy and win the 2005 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship in 37 holes at Swope Memorial Golf Course in Kansas City, Mo.

"I thought chances would come," said Lee about her comeback, through an interpreter. "I had confidence that I could do it. I am so happy right now."

The high school senior is the ninth Korean-born player to win a USGA championship, and the second in 2005, joining U.S. Women's Open winner Birdie Kim.

It was the longest match in WAPL history and the first time the final match went to extra holes. It was the third consecutive year that the final has reached at least the 36th hole.

Chudy, 19, of Miramar, Fla., held a 4-up lead through the morning 18 holes of the 36-hole final match. The University of Florida sophomore extended her lead to 5 up with a birdie on the 23rd hole.

"I knew being 4 up in the morning 18 didn't mean I won the match," said Chudy. "I knew it could be taken away from me easily, especially if she got on a good streak or I started struggling. Unfortunately, both things started happening."

Lee looked at the afternoon round as a new opportunity. "After the first 18 holes, I was more relaxed and more confident," said Lee, who stays in the Los Angeles area with an older sister for the summer golf schedule.

On the 24th hole, the par-3 6th, Lee, who has won two junior amateur tournaments in the last two years, began her turnaround. She registered birdies on Swope Memorial's sixth, eighth and ninth holes to reduce her deficit to just two holes.

"After the birdie on the ninth (27th) hole, I felt I could do it," said Lee, who was playing in her first USGA championship.

Chudy, a second-team All-Southeastern Conference choice, saw her lead decreased to 1 up when she made a bogey after an errant drive on the par-5 12th. Lee then three-putted for a bogey on the par-3 13th and Chudy was again 2 up.

After two halved holes, Lee hit an iron to 12 feet on the par-3 16th and converted the birdie putt. She then won the par-4 18th and extended the match when Chudy missed a 4-foot par-saving putt after missing the green with her approach iron.

On the 37th hole, Lee drove in the fairway and Chudy pulled her drive near a thick tree trunk. Chudy, with an abbreviated swing, punched a shot to 25 yards short of the green and Lee found the green in regulation, 30 feet away. After Chudy's approach finished 8 feet away, Lee putted to 2 feet. Chudy's attempt at a possible half missed and Lee converted her short par putt for the championship.

"She came back really strong on the final 18, while I struggled with my putting," Chudy said. "She is definitely a very strong player when the pressure is on. She doesn't fault much."

Chudy, who defeated defending champion Ya-Ni Tseng, 4 and 2, in the semifinals, made five birdies and one bogey in gaining her morning round lead. In the afternoon, it was Lee who made the most of her scoring opportunities, making four birdies and just two bogeys.

Lee beat 14-year-old Jane Rah of Torrance, Calif., 5 and 4, in the other semifinal.

Conyers, Ga., represented by Carmen Bandea of Duluth Ga., Jackie Beers of Bonaire, Ga. and Kyu Ri Ban of Korea. won the 2005 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Team Championship with a score of 285.