DECATUR, Ill. -- Stephanie Otteson made a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole Sunday to win The Duramed Championship for her first professional title.
The 24-year-old former North Carolina-Wilmington player closed with an even-par 71 for a one-stroke victory over Canadas Jessica Shepley (68) in the Futures Tour event. Otteson finished at 9-under 204 at The Golf Center at Kings Island.
Absolutely amazing, Otteson said. It was just one of those situations where you hope and pray it goes in and it just happened to fall in for me this time.
Two-time tournament winner Mindy Kim (72) was third at 7 under.
Otteson earned $15,4000 to jump from 53rd to eighth on the money list with $19,548.
This is a really big turning point for me and helps me realize that I belong out here, Otteson said. It was something I couldnt anticipate. I always knew I had the talent and the drive, but it almost seemed like it didnt come together.
Kim earned $7,838 to jump from third to first on the money list with $41,359, while Shepley made $11,000 to move from ninth to fifth with $27,289. The top five at the end of the season will earn 2009 LPGA Tour cards.
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