(7 September 2009 – Albany, New York)
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Korea&aposs Song Yi Choi fired a steady final round of 1-under par 70 to claim the season-ending ILOVENY Championship in Albany by one shot from Vermont&aposs Libby Smith. In doing so, she climbed from 11th to 5th on the Money List to claim a fully exempt LPGA card for 2010.
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rnThe last tournament of the season saw a keenly fought final day where the emphasis was not only on the winner of the Championship, but where the players would finish on the final Money List. After heading into the final day two shots in front and in 11th place on the Money List, Choi had it all to play for. At certain stages, her lead looked tenuous as Mo Martin made a run with 4-under in three holes on the front side and Mina Harigae joined Choi on 8-under after 12 holes. However, Choi held firm with a decisive birdie on the 16th sending her back to 8-under par while Harigae made bogeys at 16 and 17 to fall out of contention.
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rnKristie Smith returned to competition after a two month injury layoff and was the only Australian to make the cut. She fired three rounds of 70 to finish in a tie for 10th.
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rnWith the Top-5 players gaining fully exempt LPGA cards for 2010, Choi’s win was huge, similar to that of Sarah Jane Smith’s in the same tournament last year which moved her up to 3rd. Mina Harigae was a runaway winner on the Money List after notching 3 wins and 5 other Top-10’s and secured her LPGA card at her first attempt. In second place was Jean Reynolds who captured two titles and 7 Top-10’s. Her potential was shown when she was Top-5 heading into the final round of the US Open in July. Misun Cho, a former Australian Junior Champion, representing Korea finished on the podium after a season that netted 2 victories and 5 Top-10’s. The full list of players to receive their LPGA Cards for 2010 can be seen by clicking here.
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Photo by Anthony Powter – Kristie Smith