World No. 1 Iga Swiatek comes from behind to defeat Jule Niemeier, advancing to US Open quarterfinals
CHICAGO — Jule Niemeier held serve and was a little more than 1-under-par, but was unable to close the deal.
Iga Swiatek finished off the tournament with a three-under 69, taking her only major title to a 3-2 win over Niemeier in the final round on Friday at the U.S. Women’s Open. Swiatek had three birdies and four bogeys on the front nine to lead after the turn, but just could not get momentum going.
“I’m happy to finish first, but it’s also a very disappointing tournament,” Swiatek said. “I wish I could have won the tournament.”
Swiatek shot a final-round 67 in the third round. She went 2-under before a triple-bogey on the final hole to finish at 2-over 277.
“I missed a shot because I was struggling,” she said. “I played pretty bogeyable shots. Sometimes you have a bad round, but not this round.”
Swiatek had three birdies and four bogeys during the final round, matching her round of the previous day.
“I was trying to be positive, but obviously it doesn’t work,” she said.
Niemeier had a bad afternoon, taking several double bogeys throughout the day. She was 1-over after her second round, finished 1-over through her final round.
“I missed a lot today,” Niemeier said. “I made a lot of bad shots today and I had a lot of pressure. I have to accept the fact that my short game is not that great right now.”
Swiatek’s winning putt at the 16th hole dropped for double bogey. But the German, who made the cut on Friday to finish at 5-over 291, was able to salvage a final-round 69 in Chicago. She did not hit a driver or a wedge, which were two ways to try and make par in her round, with a birdie