(1 May 2011 – Mobile, Alabama)
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On Sunday, experience won over youthful talent. Sweden&aposs Maria Hjorth rallied to win the Avnet LPGA Classic for her fifth LPGA trophy, while Lexi Thompson’s bid to become the youngest winner on the LPGA crumbled amid some errant and often water-bound iron-play. Hjorth shot her second straight 5-under par 67 to finish at 10-under 78, two strokes ahead of Song-Hee Kim (71) with Na Yeon Choi (69) and Suzann Pettersen (70) a further shot back in a tie for third.
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rn16-year-old Thompson, tied for the lead with Kim entering the round, had a 78 to drop into a tie for 19th at 1-under par. Thompson opened and closed with bogeys and had double bogeys after her ball went into the water on Nos. 14 and 15.
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rnHjorth’s husband, Shaun McBride — who normally caddies on the PGA Tour — was on her bag this week and it was the first time they had managed a win while working together. She had four of her six birdies in a five hole stretch starting at the 3rd and quickly moved into the lead. “I knew I just had to be patient,” Hjorth said. “Obviously my goal going in I was trying to get double digits under par, which is pretty hard to do. I didn’t think it was going to be enough for a win, but obviously it was.”
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rnThe 37-year-old Swede pocketed $195,000 for the victory, and had McBride to celebrate with. “He caddied for me full-time two years ago before we had our daughter (Emily, in 2009),” Hjorth said. “We lost in the playoff at McDonald’s LPGA Championship, so it was great to be able to have a win together. To have just an off week like this and to be able to pull it off is really good.”
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rnKim had an eagle on the par-15 16th hole to move to 8-under and then Hjorth watched as Kim’s approach shot on No. 18 went into the bunker, sealing the win. “I knew she was 10-under through 14 but I didn’t look at the scoreboard after I had an eagle,” Kim said. “I was just kind of playing my game.”
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rnIt made for a slightly delayed celebration for Hjorth because, as she said, “Miracles happen. She could have holed her shot,” Hjorth said. “It wasn’t until she hit her second shot that I knew.”
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rnThompson, meanwhile, should have more chances to become the LPGA’s youngest winner. She still has nearly two years to top Marlene Hagge, who was 18 years and 14 days when she won the 18-hole Sarasota Open. Hagge won two 18-hole events at 18. Paula Creamer is the youngest winner of a multi-round event, winning the 2005 Sybase Classic at 18 years, 9 months and 17 days.
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rnThompson waved in acknowledgment of the gallery’s loud applause heading to the final hole, but walked off with an anguished expression on her face. Her bid for history had taken a sour turn, but she said nerves weren’t to blame. “I just didn’t hit it very solid. My driver wasn’t that bad but my irons weren’t good. I just wasn’t trusting anything. I don’t know why, because I wasn’t even that nervous surprisingly. It definitely was (a learning experience). I’m only 16, so I’m just learning every tournament.”
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rnThe best of the Aussie contingent was Katherine Hull who had a solid week with rounds of 72, 71, 71 and 69 to finish five shots off the lead in a tie for 6th. Sarah Kemp also had her best week of the year so far finishing in a tie for 32nd at 1-over par. Her position inside the top-10 after two rounds has also gained her a spot in the Sybase match Play Championship starting on the 19th of May in New Jersey. Karrie Webb also made the cut finishing in a tie for 37th.
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The players have another two week break before the Sybase Match Play Championship starting on 19 May. The Australians that will be competing are: Karrie Webb, Katherine Hull, Lindsey Wright and Sarah Kemp.