(8 June 2009 – Springfield, Illinois)
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In-Kyung Kim headed a quartet of South Korean&aposs at the top of the leaderboard in capturing the US1.7million LPGA State Farm Classic at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Illinois overnight. A final round 7-under par moved her to 17-under par total 271, a score that ended up one shot better than Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak and two shots ahead of compatriots Hee Won Han and Jee Young Lee and America’s Angela Stanford.
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rnHeading into the last round, Cristie Kerr and Kristy McPherson were at 12-under par and held a slender one shot lead over Jiyai Shin with another nine players on 9-under par or better. From the outset it was anybody’s tournament with the early groups showing there were plenty of birdies out on course. Eun-Hee Ji posted a final round 9-under par to rocket up to a Top-10 finish at 14-under par. She was joined in a tie for 6th by Paula Creamer who posted a 7-under par 65 to also climb the leaderboard.
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rnThroughout the day there was a multitude of players who could have won the tournament. However, it appeared Pak’s experience might shine brightest after she made five birdies and one bogey on the front nine to get to 14-under. She could only manage two more birdies on the back nine to eventually settle for second. Kim, who started the day on 10-under quietly made her way up the leaderboard with a 3-under par front nine to get it to 13-under. Birdies at 11 and 13 saw her move into a share of the lead which she didn’t let go of, posting a brace of birdies on 16 and 17 to move to her winning score.
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rnJust after she putted out there was a 20 minute rain delay and she hadn’t quite got her hands on the US$255,000 winner’s cheque just yet with three groups left on course. However, no player could match her score and she raised her arms in victory for the second time in her career after following her win in the 2008 Longs Drugs Challenge. An elated Kim said later, “I just feel great. I am very excited to win. There were a lot of low scores this morning. I knew I had to make some birdies out there. When I was on 17, that was the moment I felt like, you know, I have a one-stroke lead.” The win moves her to 8th on the Official Money List with US$458,471.00 in season earnings. Cristie Kerr continues to lead this category with US$734,244.00 in prizemoney.
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rnKatherine Hull was again the leading ALPG Member but it was a disappointing tournament for the girls. Hull finished in a tie for 40th while Sarah Kemp (T54) and Sarah-Jane Smith (T60) were the only others to make the cut.
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rnThis week sees the season’s second major, the McDonald’s LPGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola. It is being played at the Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre-de-Grace, Maryland. A full contingent of ALPG players will be representing Australia except for Michelle Ellis who may yet get a start being the first alternate at time of writing.
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Click here for the LPGA story and interviews.
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Photo by Anthony Powter – Katherine Hull