Cristie Kerr fired a 7-under 65 Sunday to win the Canadian Women's Open championship in London, Ont.

Kerr held on to defeat fellow American Angela Stanford, who bogeyed her last two holes, by one stroke.

Lorie Kane, left, congratulates Cristie Kerr after the American won the Canadian Women's Open Sunday in London, Ont.
(Aaron Harris/Canadian Open)

Kerr finished the tournament at 12-under 276.

"I played a perfect round of golf today and that's what it took," said Kerr, who earned $255,000 US for the win.

Stanford, the tournament's leader through the first three rounds, had an opportunity to force a playoff, but missed a par putt on 18.

Stanford had a sizeable four-shot lead over defending champion Meena Lee of South Korea heading into Sunday's final round. Lee finished her day with a 74.

"I just said, `I can't believe it. I can't believe it.' It's been that kind of day," Kerr said of her comeback.

Charlottetown's Lorie Kane finished tied for 16th, 10 strokes behind Kerr. Kim Brozer of Red Deer, Alta., was the next best Canadian, finishing 37th with a 76 on the closing round.

The frustrated Stanford experienced déjà vu after blowing another four-shot lead to Kerr. Stanford surrendered the same advantage in the final round of the Franklin American Mortgage Championship in May.

Kerr completed her round with a 67 that day in Nashville, Tenn., while Stanford stumbled to a 73. But the 27-year-old Kerr wasn't taking anything for granted after signing her scorecard on Sunday.

Focusing at the scoreboard near the 18th green, Kerr quipped, "It's not over yet," as she headed for the driving range in preparation for a playoff with Stanford.

However, the Texan would miss her par putt, handing the title to Kerr.

"All day long I felt I had control," Stanford said. "I felt like I was in a good spot all day long. I never really thought [I had lost control] until 17."

Kerr began her comeback on the seventh hole, where she made the first of three consecutive birdies. She finished the last 12 holes 6-under par, highlighted by par-saving shot from the sand on 17.

Despite her struggles over the weekend, Kane strolled toward the 18th hole waving to the home crowd and later congratulated her playing partner on the victory.

"What really impresses me about Cristie is that she can pull it out of her hat when she needs to," Kane said. "She's a very determined young lady and has a great golf game.

"Cristie had it all today."  

With files from the Canadian Press