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March 29, 2011

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Gal sees off Shin for LPGA title

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."



 

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