(6 April 2009 – Daytona Beach, Florida)
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rnFormer Australian Junior Champion, Misun Cho has picked up her first professional victory at the iMPACT Invitational at LPGA Headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. Cho completed a 4-shot victory after a final round 2-under par 70 saw her finish at 6-under par total 210. America’s Mina Harigae finished in outright 2nd after a final round of 1-under par 71.
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rnCho was sent to Australia in 2000 and lived in Melbourne with her mother and younger brother, completing her studies at Melbourne Girls College. While she lived in Australia she notched back-to-back victories in the Australian Junior Championship in 2004 and 2005. She also won the Victorian Junior Championship in 2002 and 2003 and completed the trifecta in 2003 with victory in both the Victorian Ladies Amateur and Victorian 72-hole Strokeplay Championship.
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rnCho spent the off-season working with Orlando-based Phil Ritson, who also helped revamp the swing of Australia’s Sarah-Jane Smith (nee Kenyon). He said, “She has made a lot of progress, but she’s only 60% where she can be.” Cho emphasised the work she has put in during her speech saying, “I worked hard for this and I feel like I deserved it. Knowing that I’m on the right track makes me feel confident and comfortable that I’ve improved my game.”
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rnKristie Smith was again the best of the ALPG Members, finishing in a tie for 30th at 6-over par total 222. On the opening day where the wind was howling, Smith battled to an uncharacteristic first round of 9-over par 81 before bouncing back with a 4-under par 68 to make the cut and climb the leaderboard. A final round 1-over saw her slip down the leaderboard slightly. Rachel Bailey also made the cut but had a difficult week finding birdies and finished at 10-over par in a tie for 59th.
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