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Cristie won this event. Lorena did not lose it. Cristie had demons of her own like Lorena. NBC kept repeating that. That was great clutch playing the last 5 holes. Her putt on the 14th was clutch.

It was debatable whether or not Cristie or Paula was the top American woman golfer. Now, I think Cristie has a huge edge. 10 career wins, 4 of them in the last 18 months including her first major this year.

Cristie was also one of the top three players never to win a major (Mi-Hyun Kim and Ochoa) were the other two. She was a good sleeper pick that many overlooked.

1. Men's US Open almost always a par 70, while Women's more flexible. Pine Needles this year increased par from 70 to 71. Men's US Open afraid of par 70's and 71's, though Pebble Beach may be a par 71. It is a shame that they reduced Torrey Pines to a par 70.

2. Women's three hole playoff while men'a an antiquated 18 hole playoff.

In this case, the men's U.S. Open could benefit from looking at the women's event.

That's true. I think par doesn't really matter in that everyone plays the course so it seems silly that the USGA would insist on keeping mens par at 70. Then again, it could be silly that I'm bringing it up since a par 70 and 72 is the same course.

I also think the playoff should be 3 holes after the end of regulation.

Congratulations to Cristie Kerr. I still don't think you can label her as the best American female golfer. I don't think anyone has really gone head and shoulders above the rest of the competition.

I went on Sunday to Pine Needles, and it was a great time. I was surprised at the turnout, though. Not anywhere near as many as I had expected. I didn't expect it to be like what I had seen in 05 at the men's Open, but I had just recently come back form the Wachovia in Cahrlotte, and it was much more crowded there, as well.

Around the final group, there was a sizeable crowd, but overall, I felt more like I was at a Senior's event.

I was impressed with the quality of golf shots that I saw. Annika's short game was incredible, and some of the drives that these girls hit is really impressive. Especially considering the small stature of some of them.