(17 August 2009 – Richmond, Virginia)
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Canada&aposs Lisa Meldrum collected her first FUTURES title with a one-stroke victory at the iMPACT Classic in Richmond, Virginia. A final round 5-under par 67 saw her finish in front of Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg, New Mexico’s Gerina Mendoza and Korean Song Yi Choi.
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rnStarting the day in 9th place, Meldrum had to break free from what was a crowded leaderboard that saw eight different changes to the lead amongst five players. She moved to the winning score of 8-under par after birdies at the 12th, 14th and 15th holes and held on down the stretch with three straight pars. However, there were three groups still on the course so she headed to the practice fairway saying, “I expected to be in a playoff and I was preparing for that.”
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rnIt was not needed however, after Lindberg, Choi and Mina Harigae all faltered over the tough final holes at the Richmond Country Club. Her first title on the Duramed FUTURES Tour saw Meldrum become the third Canadian to win this year after Samantha Richdale and Angela Buzminski won in consecutive weeks in April. In the end, this lit a bit of a fire in the three-time Canadian Amateur Champion commenting, “I knew that I had it in me. I knew it was going to be my turn at some point.”
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rnRachel Bailey was again the best placed ALPG Member, finishing in a tie for 33rd at even par 216 after consistent rounds of 72, 71 and 73. Priscilla Duffield missed the cut.