Gal sees off Shin for LPGA title
Source: Agencies |
March 29, 2011, Tuesday
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SANDRA Gal won the Kia Classic to become the second German winner in LPGA Tour history, beating second-ranked Shin Jiyai with a 2-foot birdie putt on the final hole in Industry, California, on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Gal made the winning putt after Shin's 5-foot birdie attempt caught the right edge and spun out.
"It was big pressure, she was so close to the hole," Shin said. "I was thinking I had to make it."
Gal closed with a 2-under 71 to finish at 16-under 276 on the Industry Hills Golf Club course at Pacific Palms. She set up the winning birdie with a sand wedge shot from 83 yards on the par-5 18th.
"I was trying to hole it," Gal said. "I came close. I thought I made it."
Tina Fischer is the only other Germany champion. She won the 2001 Asahi Ryokuken International.
"I had the belief coming out this morning that I could win," Gal said. "I just tried to play the course instead of Jiyai."
Shin, an eight-time winner on the LPGA Tour, finished with a 73.
Cristie Kerr shot a 66 to tie for third with I.K. Kim (70) at 11 under.
Top-ranked Tseng Yani (67) and Choi Na -yeon (73) were 9 under, and Michelle Wie (70) was another stroke back along with Marcy Hart (65) and Mindy Kim (71).
"I felt like I shot a lot better than what I scored," Wie said. "Overall, I had a lot of fun. I played as hard as I can."
The 25-year-old Gal made the winning putt after Shin's 5-foot birdie attempt caught the right edge and spun out.
"It was big pressure, she was so close to the hole," Shin said. "I was thinking I had to make it."
Gal closed with a 2-under 71 to finish at 16-under 276 on the Industry Hills Golf Club course at Pacific Palms. She set up the winning birdie with a sand wedge shot from 83 yards on the par-5 18th.
"I was trying to hole it," Gal said. "I came close. I thought I made it."
Tina Fischer is the only other Germany champion. She won the 2001 Asahi Ryokuken International.
"I had the belief coming out this morning that I could win," Gal said. "I just tried to play the course instead of Jiyai."
Shin, an eight-time winner on the LPGA Tour, finished with a 73.
Cristie Kerr shot a 66 to tie for third with I.K. Kim (70) at 11 under.
Top-ranked Tseng Yani (67) and Choi Na -yeon (73) were 9 under, and Michelle Wie (70) was another stroke back along with Marcy Hart (65) and Mindy Kim (71).
"I felt like I shot a lot better than what I scored," Wie said. "Overall, I had a lot of fun. I played as hard as I can."
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