The women have taken over the world.

For the third consecutive year, a female golfer has won the World Amateur Handicap Championship held annually at Myrtle Beach.

Linda Fuller of Richmond, Texas, a 16.8-handicap golfer, shot a net 66 Friday to win the PGA Tour Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach.

"I played really well this week and recorded a few rounds in the 70s, which I've never done before," said Fuller, the wife of 26-year tournament participant Roger Fuller. "Last year I finished third in my flight and went home with the intent of working on my game for this year's tournament. I attended the Dave Pelz short-game school, took numerous lessons with my club pro and practiced, resulting in this great win.

"I'd like to extend a big thank you to the World Am staff and The Dunes Club for running such a wonderful golf tournament again this year."

There was a three-way tie for second with Treg Hallman of Mount Pleasant, S.C., Jill Ford of Lake Mary, Fla., and Thomas Wagner of Herndon, Va., shooting 68.

Wayne Hudson of Bremen, Ga., and Phillip Sanders, of Bartlett, Tenn., captured the 2009 International Pairs Championship by shooting a 135 net in Friday's championship round, which included a one-hole, sudden-death playoff. Hudson and Sanders, who are cousins and three-year tournament participants, won an all-expenses paid trip to St. Andrews to represent the United States in the 2010 International Pairs World Finals.

"We're elated about the way today's round turned out," Hudson said. "We didn't think we'd played well enough to win, but we're proud to be going to Scotland to represent the United States."

"We congratulate Linda for capturing the 2009 World Am Championship and the team of Wayne and Phillip for winning the International Pairs Championship," said Dave Macpherson, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday tournament director. "After 72 holes of stroke play competition and the World Championship Playoff, our champions certainly earned the titles they won today."

Hosted by Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, the PGA TOUR Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship is considered to be the most comparable experience to the U.S. Open for the amateur golfer.

Held the week before Labor Day, the event is open to all amateur golfers with a USGA handicap, or the foreign equivalent.

Flighted according to their handicaps, golfers competed in four rounds with all 64 flight winners and 12 ties then advancing to the 18-hole playoff at the renowned Dunes Golf and Beach Club.