SINGAPORE - National bowlers Shayna Ng and New Hui Fen finished third and fourth respectively at the prestigious US Women's Open, which concluded on Sunday (Monday morning Singapore time).

Ng, the Sportswoman of the Year, and New made the step-ladder finals with total pinfalls of 11,843 and 11,774 and became the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds respectively.

But both Singaporean women were beaten by American Liz Johnson, who dispatched New 215-200, before beating Ng 209-180 to advance to the championship match.

Johnson beat compatriot Shannon Pluhowsky 208-143 to win her fifth crown.

Ng had pipped Johnson by a single pinfall last December to win the All Events title at the Women's World Bowling Championships.

The Aug 1-7 US Women's Open held in Illinois is one of the most difficult tournaments in America owing to its intensive bowling schedule. Competitors had to bowl 24 qualifying games over three days, before the field was cut to 47 from a starting field of 142.

After 32 games, the field was further trimmed to 24 bowlers, who then advanced to three rounds of matchplay to determine the five for Sunday's step-ladder finale.