(15 June 2009 – Havre de Grace, Maryland)
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In just her fifth start on the LPGA, Sweden&aposs Anna Nordqvist captured her first professional title, a Major, with a four shot victory over Australia&aposs Lindsey Wright at the McDonald&aposs LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola. She became the second rookie in as many years to win this event after Taiwan’s Yani Tseng secured the title in 2008.
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rnAfter rain delays during the third round, the last six groups returned early in the morning on Sunday to complete their rounds. Nordqvist had held a one shot lead over Wright but made a birdie on the par-3 17th to head into the final round at 11-under par with a two shot cushion. Korean’s Jin Young Pak and Na Yeon Choi were at 7-under par in a tie for third. Both players couldn’t get anything going in the final round and finished tied 9th and outright 8th respectively.
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rnThe last round ended up being virtual matchplay between Wright and Nordqvist, both looking for their first LPGA victory, let alone first Major title. After seven holes, it looked like a runaway victory for the Swede after two birdies moved her to 13-under while Wright had made 6 pars and a bogey to fall 5 shots behind. In typical Wright fashion, she bounced back with birdies at the 8th and 9th to head into the final nine holes just three behind. The lead was reduced to just one by the time the players had played thirteen holes and it was looking good for an Aussie victory.
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rnBirdies by Nordqvist at the 14th and 15th virtually put paid to Wright’s challenge as she again fell three behind. Once more, Wright put some pressure on with a birdie at the 16th but alas, a bogey at 17 meant Nordqvist walked up the last with a three shot lead. For a little icing she obliged the crowd with a final birdie to make the victory margin four and was then doused in champagne by fellow Swedish players and family. Just days after celebrating her 22nd birthday, she collected the winner’s cheque for US$300,000.00 and said, “I think I haven’t realised I won a Major yet. Obviously it’s a great feeling and I think it’s going to take a couple of days to realise that I actually won. It’s just been an incredible week.”
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rnIn five times playing this event Wright has not finished worse than 20th with her previous best two years ago when she finished outright 4th. Her consolation was a cheque for US$182,950.00 which sees her move up to 9th on the Official Money List with $517,839.00 in season earnings. Katherine Hull also performed strongly heading into the third round in a tie for third with Wright. However, a disappointing third round of 4-over par 76 left her with too much to do in the final round to contend. She posted a final round 71 to finish in a tie for 16th, her best performance in the McDonalds Championship in five starts. Karrie Webb (T49) and Wendy Doolan (T57) were the other ALPG Members to make the cut.