When Barack Obama is leading the tributes, it is impossible not to realise the scale of success. Allisen Corpuz prevailed over Charley Hull at the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach on Sunday and Obama was immediate in his praise towards his fellow Hawaiian. “You make us all proud,” said the 44th president of the United States on social media. “He has done a lot in his career,” Corpuz responded with more than a hint of understatement. “That is really special.”
The nature of Corpuz’s triumph was similarly striking. The 25-year-old had been trending in the right direction in majors – she was tied fourth at the Chevron Championship and shared 15th at the PGA championship – but missed three cuts in four previous US Open appearances. Corpuz had never won a mainstream tour event before; the weight of expectation at Pebble Beach played a part in her deliberate approach and she was warned she could be penalised for slow play during round four.
