It takes something special to overcome a deficit to 2014 Oates Vic Open Champion Minjee Lee on the final day of a golf tournament, and Su-Hyun Oh’s 9-under round of 65, a Lake Karrinyup course record, was just enough to secure a one stroke victory over the World’s Number 1 ranked amateur golfer.
Oh, ranked fifth in the world, had eight birdies and an eagle in her round, trading the lead with Minjee Lee throughout the day as both players scores sunk lower and lower below par.
Oh found herself two strokes back of Lee after the 10th hole, as Lee birdied and Oh made her only bogey of the day. However, a five-under-par run over the final eight holes would send Oh into a two stroke lead after the 17th.
Down the stretch on the final hole, Minjee Lee was able to make things interesting, leaving her approach withing 6 feet while Oh remained off the green for two. Oh was calm under pressure, leaving her chip within 2 feet of the hole. While Lee was able to keep the pressure on by sinking her birdie putt, Oh would finish with a par and secure her first Bowra & O’Dea championship.
Both Oh and Lee will head to America next week, where they will play in their first Major tournament at the Kraft Nabisco Championships at Mission Hills in California.
SU-HYUN OH INTERVIEW
9-under-par. Does this happen very often for you?
Um, I don’t know! Last year’s Victorian Amateur, Minjee and I played in the final. It was crazy, I think I shot 17-under over 36 holes, and I only won by 3&2. Everytime we play I think we bring out the best in each other.
Is that a camaraderie thing or do you think the pressure brings out your best?
Yeah the pressure. I think I’m a person that plays better when I know what to do. She obviously always hits it close so then I think ‘Ok, I have to hit this close’. I think the focus level is a bit different. It wasn’t so much of a head to head between us, we just try and play the best we can. I really enjoyed playing with Minjee today as always because it’s good competition.
What do you take out of this week into you first major in America next week?
A lot of confidence. Over the summer Minjee played really well and I didn’t play as well as I wanted to, but I think my head is a little clearer now and because I’ve been making a few changes in my swing. So a lot of confidence and looking forward to next week to see what it’s like.
You commented about Karrie Webb’s name being on the trophy. What does it mean to you winning an event like the Bowra & O’Dea?
It feels like ‘Wow, Karries won this! I could become like Karrie!’. Well, maybe. [Laughs].
She’s a great ambassador for women’s golf, not only in Australia but everywhere. She’s just had another win recently, I think number 41. She was saying that if I wanted to do a practice round (next week at the Kraft Nabisco) than I’d be happy to do one, and I said ‘Yes! Please!’ so I look forward to next week and learning from her.”
By: Tom Fee (Golf WA)