(1 November 2010 – Incheon, South Korea)
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A final round of 3-under par 69 was enough for Na Yeon Choi to successfully defend her Hana Bank Championship title as well as go to the top of the LPGA&aposs Official Money List. In second place was America&aposs Vicky Hurst, while overnight leader and Choi&aposs best friend Song-Hee Kim finished in outright third.
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rnPlaying just an hour from where she grew up, Kim had begun the final day at 8-under par; a one-shot lead over Choi with Hurst a further shot back in third place. It appeared likely that it would be a battle between the two experienced Koreans with Hurst still learning the ropes when it comes to the pointy end of professional golf. The interest was also in the question whether Kim could get the monkey off her back to record a victory. Twenty Top-10’s in her last 26 starts, but no victories, consigns Kim to being the highest ranked golfer without a victory.
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rnEarly on, it appeared Kim was dealing with the pressure, making birdies at the 1st, 5th and 7th holes to reach 11-under par. Choi and Hurst kept pace with the leader notching two and three birdies respectively to remain in touch. Things changed dramatically however with Kim again succumbing to the pressure, posting four bogeys in five holes from the 9th and virtually consigning herself to another near-miss. At the same time, Choi rammed home the advantage with birdies at the 10th, 11 and 13th holes. She bogied the 12th but so did Hurst and Kim relieving the pressure somewhat.
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Choi’s lead was three shots after her birdie at the 13th and despite a bogey at the 16th hole, she played well enough down the stretch to hold on to a two-shot cushion, eventually tapping in for par on the 18th in front of a rapturous huge home crowd. It was her fourth victory on the LPGA and continues an amazing run of results which has seen her post 2 wins, three runner-ups, two third placings and a worst result of a tie for 16th. Choi now leads the Official Money List with US$1,792,978, and a favourite to win the title being US$244,160 in front of second-placed Jiyai Shin.
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rnAfter her round, Choi said, “I am really happy to defend my title this year. There were a lot of expectations from the fans that I have to defend my title.” She also commented on her friend’s inability to seal her first win saying, “I became more confident after my first win last year. The game became much easier, and I could play my game comfortably. So, I hope Song-Hee can win her first event as soon as possible.”
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rnKatherine Hull continued her impressive late-season form, tying for 12th after rounds of 70, 73 and 70. She remains in 12th on the Money List with US$740,533 in season earnings. It was a tournament Lindsey Wright would like to forget in a hurry after finishing at 24-over par.
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rnHull will be joined by Karrie Webb and Nikki Campbell as the ALPG representatives at this week’s co-sanctioned Mizuno Classic in Japan.
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