(5 May 2009 – San Antonio, Texas)
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Allison Hanna-Williams of Portland, Oregon won her first professional tournament on Sunday at the inaugural Texas Hill Country Classic. A final round 3-under par 68 saw her finish at 7-under par 209 to finish one shot ahead of Jennifer Ackerson (Dallas, Texas) and Alison Walshe (Bedford, Massachusetts).
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rnWalshe, who entered the final round of this year’s Australian Open tied for second, had a one stroke lead heading into this last round in Texas. She was just ahead of both Ackerson and Hanna-Williams and it remained close all day with the eventual champion being decided on the final hole.
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rnAll three players went to the final hole tied at 6-under par, but only Hanna-Williams could manage the necessary birdie, rolling in a putt from 6-feet to clinch the US$17,500.00 winner’s cheque. Commenting on her first win, she said, “It feels so good, I’ve been so close before. It also helps my bank account.” No rest though for the conditional LPGA Member as she was soon on a plane to Kingsmill in Virginia for Monday qualifying for the LPGA’s Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill. She ended up qualifying with a 4-under par 68.
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rnThe only ALPG Member to make the cut was Kristie Smith who finished at 6-over par 222 to finish tied 45th.
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Photo by Anthony Powter – Kristie Smith