Angela Stanford of America collected one of women’s golf’s most prestigious titles when she won the HSBC Women’s Champions 2012 at Tanah Merah Country Club in Singapore, after a final-day duel with 19 year-old Jenny Shin from South Korea.
The 34 year-old Texan who became the first American to claim the HSBC Women’s Champions title today, battled off stiff competition from Shin, who lead the way until the final hole of the day.
She joins a world-class list of past champions that include Lorena Ochoa (2008), Jiyai Shin (2009), Ai Miyazato (2010) and Karrie Webb (2011).
When play resumed, Angela Stanford, Jenny Shin and Katie Futcher were the only group remaining on the golf course. The 10-under par 278 finish by Stanford and Shin ensured a four way play-off with China’s Shanshan Feng and South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi, who had finished on the same total.
The sudden-death play-off on the 18th hole was reduced to three players after Feng three-putted the first play-off hole. On the second play-off hole, Na Yeon Choi dropped out after missing a four-foot par putt. On the third and final hole, Angela Stanford made a four-foot putt to take the title.
“Honestly, I was just trying to make par because I'm very aware that anything can happen on that hole,” Stanford said. “And I didn't. I still made a bogey. You know, the rain delay was tough because you're the only three golfers left, and you know, 18 has always been a tough hole for me, so to sit there and have to wait and you're just looking at it, I mean it's tough because you know it's only going to be three to five more shots.
Shin, who is only in her second year on the LPGA Tour remained optimistic despite her loss, “I was not as nervous (on the play-off) as I was on my actual 18th hole. I tried my best, and the tee shot on the 18th hole really threw me off, but I am okay. I do feel that I lack some experience, so I am accepting this and moving on. I am happy with where I am; I feel like it’s a great start, so I am looking forward to the following year.”
World Number One Yani Tseng caused a stir as she continued her fine form from round three and consecutive birdies on the 4th, 5th and 6th shot her into contention for the title, as she burst through into second place. A first shot double bogey on the back nine, however, followed by a bogey on the 14th dashed her hopes of achieving her first HSBC Women’s Champions title.
Tseng, winner of the Thailand LPGA only last week, finished outright fifth at nine-under 279 after eventually carding a 69 today, with Japan’s Ai Miyazato and South Korea’s I.K Kim finishing just two shots behind with a total of seven-under 281.
However, it was Stanford who was the undisputed star of the show as her grit and determination finally ensured her with her first victory since the 2009 SBS Open at Turtle Bay.
In addition to the first-prize cheque of US$210,000, Stanford also collected a unique wattle design necklace, created to represent the national flower of the home country of last year's HSBC Women's Champions winner, Australia’s Karrie Webb.
Amongst the other stars in the HSBC Women’s Champions’ powerhouse field, 2010 winner, Ai Miyazato finished in 6th place, Stacy Lewis in 18th, the world’s second-ranked player Suzann Pettersen was in 25th, America’s Cristie Kerr in 35th and fellow compatriot Natalie Gulbis in 39th.
Defending champion, Karrie Webb, finished the day on two-under par 70 resulting in a total of one under 288. Finishing in tied 25th is a far cry from last year’s result but the World Number 20 remained optimistic, “I had a bad first seven holes on Thursday and recovered well after that, but then just the last few rounds never really got anything going, but it's good to be here today and finish in the red numbers for the tournament.”
Host Country Qualifier, Koh Sock Hwee was pleased with her performance as she carded 79 today, her best score of the tournament.
The 34 year-old Texan who became the first American to claim the HSBC Women’s Champions title today, battled off stiff competition from Shin, who lead the way until the final hole of the day.
She joins a world-class list of past champions that include Lorena Ochoa (2008), Jiyai Shin (2009), Ai Miyazato (2010) and Karrie Webb (2011).
“I feel extremely honored to be in that group of golfers and women, and to be the first American to get to win here is pretty special,” she said. “I haven't won a major yet, so this is the closest thing so far. The best players in the world are here and they call it Asia's major, so it's the closest thing for me.”
The crowds gathered to see the two unpredicted leaders battle it out on the Garden Course for over six hours, after lightning halted play at this year’s tournament from 3:03 p.m. to 4:39 p.m.When play resumed, Angela Stanford, Jenny Shin and Katie Futcher were the only group remaining on the golf course. The 10-under par 278 finish by Stanford and Shin ensured a four way play-off with China’s Shanshan Feng and South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi, who had finished on the same total.
The sudden-death play-off on the 18th hole was reduced to three players after Feng three-putted the first play-off hole. On the second play-off hole, Na Yeon Choi dropped out after missing a four-foot par putt. On the third and final hole, Angela Stanford made a four-foot putt to take the title.
“Honestly, I was just trying to make par because I'm very aware that anything can happen on that hole,” Stanford said. “And I didn't. I still made a bogey. You know, the rain delay was tough because you're the only three golfers left, and you know, 18 has always been a tough hole for me, so to sit there and have to wait and you're just looking at it, I mean it's tough because you know it's only going to be three to five more shots.
Shin, who is only in her second year on the LPGA Tour remained optimistic despite her loss, “I was not as nervous (on the play-off) as I was on my actual 18th hole. I tried my best, and the tee shot on the 18th hole really threw me off, but I am okay. I do feel that I lack some experience, so I am accepting this and moving on. I am happy with where I am; I feel like it’s a great start, so I am looking forward to the following year.”
World Number One Yani Tseng caused a stir as she continued her fine form from round three and consecutive birdies on the 4th, 5th and 6th shot her into contention for the title, as she burst through into second place. A first shot double bogey on the back nine, however, followed by a bogey on the 14th dashed her hopes of achieving her first HSBC Women’s Champions title.
Tseng, winner of the Thailand LPGA only last week, finished outright fifth at nine-under 279 after eventually carding a 69 today, with Japan’s Ai Miyazato and South Korea’s I.K Kim finishing just two shots behind with a total of seven-under 281.
However, it was Stanford who was the undisputed star of the show as her grit and determination finally ensured her with her first victory since the 2009 SBS Open at Turtle Bay.
In addition to the first-prize cheque of US$210,000, Stanford also collected a unique wattle design necklace, created to represent the national flower of the home country of last year's HSBC Women's Champions winner, Australia’s Karrie Webb.
Amongst the other stars in the HSBC Women’s Champions’ powerhouse field, 2010 winner, Ai Miyazato finished in 6th place, Stacy Lewis in 18th, the world’s second-ranked player Suzann Pettersen was in 25th, America’s Cristie Kerr in 35th and fellow compatriot Natalie Gulbis in 39th.
Defending champion, Karrie Webb, finished the day on two-under par 70 resulting in a total of one under 288. Finishing in tied 25th is a far cry from last year’s result but the World Number 20 remained optimistic, “I had a bad first seven holes on Thursday and recovered well after that, but then just the last few rounds never really got anything going, but it's good to be here today and finish in the red numbers for the tournament.”
Host Country Qualifier, Koh Sock Hwee was pleased with her performance as she carded 79 today, her best score of the tournament.
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