Michelle Wie finally delivers with US Women's Open triumph

Michelle Wie won the US Women’s Open on Sunday, firing an even-par final round of 70 for the long-awaited first major title of her career.

The 24-year-old American, tipped for stardom even before she turned pro at the age of 15 in 2005, finished with a two-under total of 278, two strokes in front of world number one Stacy Lewis, who kept the pressure on with a final-round 66 for 280.

“I just had a lot of fun out there,” said Wie. “I woke up so excited. I was so grateful for this opportunity.”

Wie saw a three-stroke lead shrink to one with a double-bogey at 16. But she responded by burying a 25-foot birdie putt at 17 to take a two-stroke lead to the final hole.

“I got a lot of goosebumps walking up 18,” said Wie, who allowed herself a small smile and wave as she was greeted at the 18th green by a standing ovation.

Wie, swept along by a wave of hype and endorsements when she turned pro, drew criticism for her early insistence on trying to challenge in men’s events before she had become a proven winner against the world’s top women.

Sunday’s triumph was her fourth on the LPGA Tour, and her second of the year.

In April, she won the Lotte Championship in her home state of Hawaii to end a victory drought stretching back to 2010.