Rachel Bailey from New South Wales secured her first professional victory at the St George&aposs Basin Country Club Pro-Am on the South Coast yesterday. Bailey shot rounds of 72 and 69 to finish on 3-under par total 141 which was enough to clinch a 1-shot victory over five players who finished on 2-under par total 142. In a tie for 2nd were Denmark&aposs Mianne Bagger, Victoria&aposs Wendy Berger, and the New South Wales trio of Polly Travica, Joanne Mills and Angela Tunchon.
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On a day that started with a 40 minute delay for lightning, players and organisers were looking at the sky all day with further thunderstorms predicted. It wasn&apost until all but three groups had finished, did the heavens open and the electricity started which caused a further 45 minute dealy. However, Bailey was already safely in the clubhouse on 3-under with only Bagger , Tunchon and South Australia&aposs Susie Mathews out on the course still to finish. Both players were unable to match the score of Bailey who thanked her putter for securing the victory. After presentations she said, "In the last six holes, I sank them from everywhere. Great par saves on 13,14, 15 and 16 and then two long birdie putts on the final two. I guess I should thank my putting."
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Bailey usually ply&aposs her trade on the Duramed FUTURES Tour and qualified for the US Open earlier in the year. Unfortunately, she struck illness shortly after and had to return home after playing only 10 events on the LPGA&aposs feeder tour. Yesterday, she said she "played really consistently all day and then got on a roll with the putter. It&aposs great to finally get one of these big cheques. I&aposm really happy."
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Overnight leader, Mathews finished in a tie for 7th at even par after a final round 1-over par 73. She was tied with Jenny Lee and Sarah Kemp who both finished with rounds of 73 and 71. It was Kemp&aposs final tournament in Australia until after Christmas as she now heads off to Florida for the Final Stage of Qualifying School for the 2009 LPGA Tour.
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This event is the only one of it&aposs kind in Australia where the ALPG &aposgirls&apos tee up alongside the NSW PGA &aposboys&apos in a Pro-Am format. Martin Dive, Graydon Woolridge and Richard Gallichan were all tied for first in the PGA component on 9-under par total 131.
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For full ALPG results click here.
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