The South Korean outlasted Lorena Ochoa.21 year old Na Yeon Choi showed how a true champion must play in a premium tournament. It was the third round when she scored her best professional score (-9) and put herself in contention, just a couple of strokes from fellow country woman Jiyai Shin.
On Sunday it was pretty clear that one of the most demanding and famous tournaments would have an Asian champion, but nobody knew who of them would take it. Choi teed off chasing a very consistent Shin, who is about to become the first player to clinch the Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards in a single season, since Nancy Lopez completed the feat in 1978.
Na Yeon scored birdies in holes 2 and 4, plus an eagle at number 6, this gave her a six stroke cushion; meanwhile Jiyai was having trouble with her putting and wasn't a threat anymore. Never the less, Japanesse Ai Miyazato manged to pull out birdies in number 12 and 16.
Both player were under the spotlight, especially since Choi bogeyed 9, 10 and 11, granting her lead to Miyazato. It seemed like the game was done, but as they say it doesn't end until the fat lady sings. In the last hole, Ai's sencond shot find the pond that guards the fairway, so she took a drop, a penalty and a two putt bogey, to tie Choi at the top. The South Korean took advantage of the situation and holed her nirdie putt to win the tournament.
The "Pink Panther" hasn't won in 2009.
Mexican super star Lorena Ochoa and US sensation Paula Creamer couldn't match the leaders, both socred 9 under, seven strokes behind Choi. Still, they managed to be on top 5.
The biggest dissapointment was Jiyai Shin's short game, which led her to a 74 stroke final round.
On Sunday it was pretty clear that one of the most demanding and famous tournaments would have an Asian champion, but nobody knew who of them would take it. Choi teed off chasing a very consistent Shin, who is about to become the first player to clinch the Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards in a single season, since Nancy Lopez completed the feat in 1978.
Na Yeon scored birdies in holes 2 and 4, plus an eagle at number 6, this gave her a six stroke cushion; meanwhile Jiyai was having trouble with her putting and wasn't a threat anymore. Never the less, Japanesse Ai Miyazato manged to pull out birdies in number 12 and 16.
Both player were under the spotlight, especially since Choi bogeyed 9, 10 and 11, granting her lead to Miyazato. It seemed like the game was done, but as they say it doesn't end until the fat lady sings. In the last hole, Ai's sencond shot find the pond that guards the fairway, so she took a drop, a penalty and a two putt bogey, to tie Choi at the top. The South Korean took advantage of the situation and holed her nirdie putt to win the tournament.
The "Pink Panther" hasn't won in 2009.The biggest dissapointment was Jiyai Shin's short game, which led her to a 74 stroke final round.
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