(5 July 2010 – Sylvania, Ohio)
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It was nearly the tournament that got away from Korea&aposs Na Yeon Choi but a birdie on the 72nd hole and another one on the second hole of the four-way playoff secured her third LPGA victory at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger. The other three players who made the playoff and finished tied for second were Christina Kim, Song-Hee Kim and In-Kyung Kim.
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Choi, who opened the tournament with a 7-under par 64, led all the way until the 15th hole on Sunday where she made her second bogey in succession to fall back to 13-under par. Up ahead of her, In-Kyung Kim and Song-Hee Kim were nearing the completion of their rounds and shortly thereafter, both were in the clubhouse on 14-under par. Both Choi, and playing partner, Christina Kim were now playing catch-up, sitting on 13-under par with 3 holes to play. Both players parred the 16th before Christina Kim made the birdie she needed on the par-5 17th to gain a share of the lead while Choi could only manage par.
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The 18th is another par-5 and both players had birdie chances. Choi was furthest from the hole and sunk her 12-footer for birdie to join the clubhouse leaders at 14-under par. It was then up to Christina Kim whether there would be a playoff as she had 10-feet left to the cup. Playing for a little too much break, she left it on the high side and there was a four-way playoff.
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The four players headed back to the 18th and by the time they got to the green they all had birdie opportunities from within 15-feet with Song-Hee Kim the closest at 5-feet. Quite unbelievably, they all missed, made pars and moved to the 17th. This time, Choi only had to make her birdie putt from 3-feet to claim the title and the US$150,000 winner’s cheque. Afterwards she said, “I was nervous after the two bogeys, but my caddie kept me calm and I tried to think positive. So now I am really happy. I’m really proud of how I controlled my emotions today. I think it’s really special to have won wire-to-wire.”
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Katherine Hull was the leading ALPG Member, finishing in a tie for 7th. She entered the final round just four shots adrift of the leader but could only manage two birdies and a bogey in the final round for a 1-under par 70 to finish three shots outside the playoff. Sarah Kemp also had a good tournament, storming home with a 6-under par 65 to move from a tie for 46th at the start of the final round to a tie for 17th at 8-under par. Tamie Durdin, unfortunately went the other way, firing a final round of 5-over to finish in a tie for 68th after starting the day tied for 29th.
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The players are currently on their way to the famed Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania for this week’s staging of the 65th U.S. Women’s Open. ALPG Members to make the field are Karrie Webb, Katherine Hull, Lindsey Wright, Tamie Durdin and Sarah Kemp.