(Singapore)
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rnAustralian&aposs Katherine Hull and Nikki Campbell took three of a possible four points between them to help Team International to victory over Team Asia in the fourth staging of the annual Lexus Cup, staged in Singapore. Hull remained unbeaten in her three matches to continue her stunning form in the second half of the year, remaining the only undefeated in the winning International Team. The final score was Team International 12 ½ to Team Asia 11 ½.
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rnOn the first two days, the players competed in Foursomes and then Fourball competition, where Campbell and Hull were paired together on both days. They managed to win both matches in a well-balanced team performance. On Day 2 in the Fourball, they were pitted against World No.2 Yani Tseng and Japan’s Namika Omata and took home a 1-up victory to tie the team scores.
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rnWith 12 singles matches to be played on the final day, it was a battle that Lexus could only dream of as the major sponsor. The day started with two victories to Team International, with Captain Annika Sorenstam and Solheim Cup Captain Helen Alfredsson giving the visitors a spectacular start. The next two matches went the way of Team Asia to again tie up the scores at 8-all.
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rnTeam Asia looked to be gaining the upper hand taking 3 of the next 5 matches to move to 11 points and just 1 ½ points from securing their third straight Lexus Cup. However, the in-form Angela Stanford secured the next point with a 4 and 3 win over Seon Hwa Lee. This meant the scores were again tied with just two matches on the course. One of those was the penultimate match with Hull matched against South Korea’s Jeong Jang. In a cliff-hanger, Hull sank a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th to give Team International 12 points with just Christina Kim out on the course playing Omata. She eventually two-putted for birdie on the 18th to earn the half point for the Sorenstam-led Internationals to take back the trophy won by Team Asia in Perth last year.
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rnIt was a fitting way for Annika Sorenstam to finish her LPGA career and all players had a chance in the press conference to give their thoughts on their captain’s career and what they will miss about her. She will step away from competitive golf after next week’s Dubai Ladies Masters. Some of the comments included: Natalie Gulbis – “class and confidence”; Suzann Pettersen – “a great ambassador for women’s golf”; Katherine Hull – “It’s been a privilege to play with her”; Paula Creamer – “She’s a great role model”; Christina Kim – “She’s been a huge icon in golf in general. Truly an honour”; Cristie Kerr – “She’s made all of us better”; and Nikki Campbell – “A fantastic person and role model.”
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