Eun Hee Ji of South Korea made a 20-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole Sunday, finishing off an even-par 71 to claim the U.S. Women’s Open.

The 20-year-old Ji outlasted playing partner and third-round leader Cristie Kerr, who struggled from the outset and failed in her bid for a second Women’s Open title in three years.

Ji recovered from two bogeys in her first four holes and a double-bogey at the 10th hole, making three birdies over the final six holes to finish at even-par 284 at Saucon Valley Country Club.

She is the second straight South Korean to win the event, following Inbee Park. Countrywoman Birdie Kim claimed the championship in 2005.

Ji, who won the 2008 Wegman’s LPGA, pumped her fists and embraced caddie Zac Austin after the winning putt dropped. Kerr gave her playing partner a long embrace.

During the trophy presentation, Ji was doused with champagne.

Pro Golf

Stricker wins by 3 strokes

Silvis, Ill. — Steve Stricker followed one of his best performances with 36 solid holes to win the John Deere Classic by three strokes.

Stricker, who tied the course record Saturday, fired a 7-under 64 in the fourth round after starting the day with a third-round 68 to finish at 264 for the tournament. That was good enough to give him his second PGA Tour win this year and sixth in all, not to mention a heavy dose of momentum heading into the British Open to go with the $774,000 winnner’s check.

Local favorite Zach Johnson (64, 66), Brandt Snedeker (68, 65) and Brett Quigley (62, 67) all tied for second at 17 under. Quigley also qualified for the British Open.

Eagle on 18 seals victory

Blaine, Minn. — Bernhard Langer chipped in for eagle on the 18th hole Sunday to win the 3M Championship, his second straight win on the Champions Tour.

His 7-under 65 gave him a 16-under 200 for the tournament, one shot better than Andy Bean.

Standing about 3 feet off the back fringe, Langer put the ball on the edge of the green and watched it roll about 15 feet into the hole. Langer turned and pointed to the crowd with both arms raised when the ball dropped in the hole for his fourth win of the season.

Kaymer snags 2nd straight

Luss, Scotland — Martin Kaymer won for the second week in a row, closing with a 2-under 69 in the rain and sunshine at Loch Lomond for a two-shot victory.

Kaymer moves up to No. 11 in the world ranking, and his confidence is even higher heading to the British Open.

MLB All-Star Game

Obama to toss first pitch

St. Louis — Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols will catch when President Barack Obama throws the ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star game Tuesday.

The eight-time All Star leads the majors with 32 home runs.

Major League Baseball also announced Sunday in a news release that the six living St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famers — Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Red Schoendienst, Bruce Sutter, and Ozzie Smith — will be on field for the pitch and to greet Obama.

Pena to replace Pedroia

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Tampa Bay first baseman Carlos Pena will replace Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia on the American League roster for Tuesday’s All-Star game.

Pedroia is not playing because of a personal matter.

Pena leads the AL with 24 homers and will take part in the home run derby leading to the game in St. Louis.

Pena was added to the squad by AL manager Joe Maddon of the Rays. The decision means all four of Tampa Bay’s starting infielders will be on the team.

Hoffman to relieve Broxton

Milwaukee — Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman will replace Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton on the National League squad for the All-Star game Tuesday night.

Broxton was set to make his first All-Star appearance, but has an irritated nerve on his right toe and needed a shot. He is 6-0 with a 3.10 ERA and 20 saves, but had given up five runs in his last two appearances. Broxton is expected to attend the festivities in St. Louis.

Hoffman, the all-time saves leader, signed a $6 million, one-year contract with the Brewers after spending most of his career in San Diego. He is 1-1 with a 2.05 ERA and has saved 20 of his 22 chances after converting career save No. 574 on Saturday night in a 6-3 victory over the Dodgers.

Auto Racing

Franchitti wins at Toronto

Toronto — Dario Franchitti won the Honda Indy on the street course in Toronto on Sunday, easily holding off Penske drivers Ryan Briscoe and Will Power on a late restart for his third win of the season.

It was the first race in Toronto for the IndyCar Series, and Franchitti, the pole-sitter, was both lucky and good in regaining the series points lead over Target Chip Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon.

Franchitti is seeking his second series championship in three years after racing last season in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series. Penske and Ganassi drivers have won 16 of 18 races dating to last season.

Pro Football

Vikings visit Favre workout

Minneapolis — Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell visited Brett Favre in Hattiesburg, Miss., last week to watch him throw passes, but it still remains uncertain when the currently retired quarterback will make a decision on playing in Minnesota this season, according to an ESPN.com report Sunday night.

The Star Tribune in Minneapolis reported last week that Vikings athletic trainer Eric Sugarman had made a second trip to check on Favre’s progress from arthroscopic surgery on his throwing arm, but Bevell’s presence wasn’t known until Sunday evening. That would make Bevell the first member of coach Brad Childress’ staff to visit Favre in Mississippi.

Tennis

Croatia eliminates U.S.

Porec, Croatia — Croatia has eliminated the United States from the Davis Cup after Marin Cilic beat James Blake for an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the quarterfinals.

Cilic defeated Blake 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 on Sunday to help Croatia reach its first Davis Cup semifinal since winning the competition in 2005. Croatia will take on the Czech Republic at home in September. The Czechs beat Argentina 3-2 on Sunday.

Boxing

Gatti’s wife a suspect

Sao Paulo — The wife of former boxing champion Arturo Gatti was detained as a suspect by Brazilian authorities Sunday following his death at a posh seaside resort.

Police said 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues was taken into custody after contradictions in her interrogation. Gatti’s body was found early Saturday in a hotel room at the Porto de Galinhas resort in northeastern Brazil.

The former junior welterweight champion was apparently strangled with the strap of a purse, which was found at the scene with blood stains, said Milena Saraiva, a spokeswoman for the Pernambuco state civil police.