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27 year old Stacey Lewis, took out the Navistar LPGA Classic with a final round 69 to edge defending champion Lexi Thompson by two shots. The win propels Lewis to the top of the Rolex Player of the Year race with a 56 point lead over Jiyai Shin and moves her into the No.2 spot on the Rolex Rankings, behind world No.1 Yani Tseng.
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Lewis also added $195,000 to her career best season money total and is currently second to Inbee Park on the LPGA Official Money List with $1,595,596.
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Thompson, the leader after 36 holes fired a final round charge of 6-under 66 that included three consecutive birdies on hole 10,11 and 12. Despite the late surge, it was not enough to overcome Lewis, who had a commanding lead into the final 9 holes and played consistent golf to claim her third LPGA victory this season.
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"I was definitely a lot more comfortable coming down the stretch knowing that I could hit the shots and knowing how to handle my nerves and knowing that I&aposm going to hit a drive probably 300 yards on the last hole, and just knowing how your body reacts to the pressure I think helps you a lot" Lewis added.
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The win, has also been dubbed the &aposAlabama Slam&apos with a previous victory this season at Mobile Bay LPGA Classic and today in Prattville.
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Australian Sarah Jane Smith carded a final round of 4-under 68 to finish at 14-under par for the tournament, in tied for 6th place. Smith recorded her best finish this season and took home $41,060. Smith repeated a previous best finish for 6th at the 2008 Navistar LPGA Classic.
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The other Australian in the field, Katherine Hull finished with 2-under 70 for a T46 position.
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Full Story on LPGA website
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