(19 January 2010 – Russell Vale, Wollongong)
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Reigning ANZ Ladies Masters Champion Katherine Hull, defeated reigning NSW Open Champion, Sarah Oh in a gripping five hole play-off for the Gujarat NRE Short Course Challenge at the Russell Vale Golf Club today.
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The third staging of the Russell Vale event was highlighted by the strength of field which included World No.2 Ji Yai Shin, World No. 35, Hull and World No. 41, Ji Young Oh. Added to that was a plethora of Australian stars including Wendy Doolan, Sarah Kemp, Nikki Garrett and Kristie Smith, who took on the challenge of the testing Par-60 course located in the Steel City of Wollongong.
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Large crowds were treated to quality golf as they made the most of the rare opportunity to witness such stars in action. Oh, playing in the morning field, posted an early score of 4-under par 56, and led by three from defending champion, Stacey Tate. The afternoon field included many of the big names and there was much expectation from Shin, leading money winner on the 2009 LPGA Tour, and Hull the &aposalmost local&apos crowd favourite. Shin produced a mixed round, finding herself over par for the front nine before fighting back with a mix of birdies and bogeys to eventually post an Even par round of 60. Sydney’s Frances Bondad posted a 2-under par 58, to be outright 2nd in the clubhouse before Hull made birdies at the 15th and 16th to get to 5-under par. A bogey at 17 left Hull needing a birdie for the win which she was denied when her 15ft putt fell short.
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For the second time in as many years, a playoff was required to determine the winner. Hull and Oh faced off at the 11th hole, a 121 metre par three which would be played over until the winner was declared. On the first attempt both players hit impecable tee shots to within three metres and both converted the birdie putts. The second, third and fourth attempts to decide a winner, saw foursome brilliant scrambling pars and brilliant birdies before the pair heading back for the fifth attempt. This would be the decider. Oh pulled her tee shot left of the green while Hull responded with a perfectly struck “gripped 8 iron” which finished 5 metres short of the hole. Oh faced a difficult putt across the fringe and down the green and could not manage to stop her ball near the hole, leaving her 2nd putt outside that of Hull’s. Her par attempt fell short and Hull was left with an easy uphill two-putt for the title which she executed safely to clinch the win, much to the pleasure and relief of the crowd.
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“I hit five different tee shots in the playoff which probably shows how rusty I am” said Hull. "I enjoyed a nice break at home on the Sunshine Coast and have been practising since 29 December with Steve” (McRae, her coach who is the head professional at the Russell Vale Golf Course). She added, "Today I played simple golf, with no mistakes and really only holed one long putt which was a 20 footer for birdie at the 5th.”
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Asked whether she felt the pressure as the ANZ Ladies Masters Champion and playing in front of her coach’s home crowd, Hull said “No, no pressure because I didn’t know what to expect. It was my first tournament back and I was just trying to find some rhythm. It has been seven weeks since I played a tournament so I was really just trying to feel my way back into it.”
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For Oh it was a disappointment but still another fine result in her ALPG Pro-Am history. “Because I spend most of the off seasons in Korea, I have only ever played four ALPG Pro-Ams including this one, but I have now had one play-off win, two playoff losses and one outright second, so that’s pretty good! I played well today and am a little disappointed with the bad tee shot on the last playoff hole, but that’s golf” said Oh who will defend her NSW Open title in two week’s time.
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For World number two, Shin, it was an average round but the pint sized superstar was still full of smiles as she waved the crowd goodbye before the commencement of the playoff. Shin had a flight to catch to the Gold Coast where she will resume her six week training and practice routine, also under the watchful eye of Steve McRae.
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Bondad held third place ahead of Doolan and Tate whose 59’s secured 4th spot.
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The ALPG Tour heads to Moss Vale Golf Club for the 36 hole event presented by Corban Automotive, Wollongong. Whilst there will be no world number two in the field, Hull, Doolan and t cream of Australia&aposs upcoming talent will again be on stage to further entertain.