Nordqvist penalised in play-off as Lang wins U.S. Open

American Brittany Lang captured her maiden major title after Anna Nordqvist was penalised two strokes for a grounded club during their three-hole aggregate play-off at the U.S. Women's Open.

The incident occurred at the second play-off hole, the 17th, but Lang and Nordqvist were not notified of the ruling until the third and final hole as officials reviewed the footage in San Martin, California on Sunday.

Swede Nordqvist was hitting out of the bunker when the incident took place, with replays appearing to show her club making contact with the sand, after she and Lang had parred their opening holes.

The penalty paved the way for Lang to ease to victory, sealed with a par at the 18th, having parred the 17th.

A play-off was needed after Lang (71) and Nordqvist (67) stormed up the leaderboard to finish level at six under through 72 holes.

World number one and New Zealander Lydia Ko faltered to finish tied for third.

Ko led by one shot at the start of the day but a final-round 75 saw the teen sensation end the tournament alongside South Korean trio Amy Yang (73), Ji Eun-hee (74) and Park Sung-hyun (74).