The Americans took advantage of nearly perfect scoring conditions. Led by Kristen Gillman, winner of the 2014 and 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur championships, and Jennifer Kupcho, the reigning NCAA champion, the U.S. team eased to a 10-stroke victory over Japan on the O’Meara Course for its first gold since 1998 in Chile.
The U.S., in winning its first medal since Argentina in 2010, posted a 29-under-par 551.
Gillman, a junior at Alabama, was the driving force of the day, making an eagle and four birdies against one bogey in her first nine holes to make the turn at 5 under. She added a birdie on the 13th en route to a 6-under 67.
Kupcho fired a 4-under-69 to give the U.S. a 10-under fourth-round total of 136. She and Gillman, plus UCLA senior Lilia Vu, were also members of the victorious U.S. Curtis Cup team in June.
“We have the strong bond already from the beginning, especially yesterday when we were all struggling we all fought for each other,” said Kupcho, who is about to start her senior season at Wake Forest. “We all wanted to win for each other, and I think that was a big thing coming out of yesterday. And, I think that’s how we got our big lead coming into today.
Japan’s first appearance on the medal podium in 28 appearances was formulated by a pair of 3-under 70s from 18-year-olds Yuri Yoshida and Yuna Nishimura.
Their final total was 19-under 561. Previously, its best finish was fourth in 1984.
Defending champion Korea stalled in its attempt to overtake the U.S. and captured the bronze medal, which is its fifth consecutive medal-winning performance. The Koreans, who had won three of the previous four WWATCs, withstood a late rally from fourth-place People’s Republic of China to finish at 18-under 562.
Although there is no official recognition, Korea’s Ayean Cho was the low individual scorer at 17-under 273.