(4 May 2010 – San Antonio, Texas)
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Columbia&aposs Paola Moreno claimed her first professional victory in her rookie season at the weekend&aposs Texas Hill Country Classic. Morena was the first South American to win on the LPGA’s Developmental Tour since 2005 when countrywoman Cristina Baena secured her title. Moreno finished at 7-under par to hold out two players who have already won this season in Cindy LaCrosse and Angela Oh by one shot.
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rnMoreno, a member of the 2008 University of Southern California team that won the National championship, carded a final round of 1-under par 71 to hold the slender lead she had overnight. At one stage, around the turn, LaCrosse had moved into the lead after birdies at the 7th and 8th holes but fell back with back-to-back bogeys on 11 and 12. Moreno kept her cool after three-putting from 50-feet for a bogey at the 15th, finishing with three nervous pars for a well deserved victory. She later commented, “It’s a beautiful day for me. I stayed positive the whole day and trusted myself. It took me a while but I’m super happy.”
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rnOf the ALPG players to make the cut Rebecca Flood posted her best international result, finishing in a tie for 10th after rounds of 71, 70 and 73. Rachel Bailey had her best result of the season, just one shot behind Flood in a tie for 14th. Cathryn Bristow and Bree Arthur also made the cut finishing in a tie for 45th at 6-over par.
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Photos by Paul Melville – ALPG.
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