The story appears on

Page A12

October 19, 2010

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

HomeSportsGolf

Recari claims 1st LPGA title

SPAIN'S Beatriz Recari won the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge on Sunday for her first LPGA Tour title, overcoming soggy conditions and a late bogey for a one-stroke victory over France's Gwladys Nocera in California.

The 23-year-old Recari, a tour rookie who made cuts in only three of her first 13 stroke-play events this season, rebounded from a bogey on the No. 17 with a par on the 18th for a 2-under 70 and a 14-under 274 total on the Blackhawk Country Club course.

Nocera birdied the final hole for a 70.

Michele Redman (76) and Karine Icher (70) tied for third at 12 under.

"I'm thrilled," Recari said while clutching a large bouquet of flowers. "I'm very proud of how I handled myself out there. I did not allow the nerves or (look) any further than what I had to do right in front of me."

She credited a trip around Homestead Miami Speedway on October 2 in an IndyCar with US racer Mario Andretti for helping her stay calm before the winning putt on 18.

"That was a great experience because I had some much adrenaline, and then I just felt so calm when I was standing on the putt," Recari said. "That was fun for me ... but this is my job and I still have to keep it fun and focused."

Cristie Kerr missed a chance to overtake Ai Miyazato for the No. 1 ranking, closing with a 70 to tie for fifth with Wendy Ward (72) at 11 under. Kerr needed to at least share third to take the top spot.

"I figured if I could have another low round, I could manage to do it," Kerr said. "But the weather conditions were a lot tougher today and I didn't quite hit it good enough to get it done. Top five, hitting it the way I did this week, I think is a victory."

The win ended a 14-month world victory drought for Recari, who nearly tripled her career winnings with the US$165,000 first-place prize.

Her last professional win came on the Ladies European Tour at the Finnair Masters in August 2009.



 

Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

娌叕缃戝畨澶 31010602000204鍙

Email this to your friend