Nordqvist in good company with McDonald's LPGA Championship

Posted on 15/06/09. Source: LPGA.com (By Staff writer)

LPGA (US) - McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola
Bulle Rock Golf Course, Havre de Grace, Maryland
11-14 June 2009

Swedish rookie Anna Nordqvist had been frustrated this season, only being able to compete in four LPGA Tour events. The problem was solved on Sunday, as Nordqvist became the second rookie in as many years to win the McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola in her first appearance.

Her final 15-under-par 273 (66-70-69-68) outdistanced runner-up Lindsey Wright, of Australia, at 11-under-par 277 (70-68-69-70). It was a career-best finish for Wright, who has never finished lower than a tie for 20th in five years at the event.

In addition to the $300,000 winner's check and major champion title, Nordqvist no longer has to go through sectional qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open tomorrow. Her entry into future LPGA events should be a bit easier, as well.

"I think I haven't realized I won a major yet. I mean, I just tried to focus on what I can do," said Nordqvist, just days after celebrating her 22nd birthday. I really can't do anything about what the other players are doing on the course."

Nordqvist played with the composure of a veteran over the 6,641-yard Bulle Rock Golf Course track. After a career-low 6-under-par 66 in the opening round, Nordqvist still found herself one-stroke behind Nicole Castrale, who finished tied for fifth at 8-under-par 280 (65-72-74-69). During the second round, Nordqvist and Castrale switch positions on the leaderboard. Weather moved in during the third round and forced a 2 hour, 19 minute delay and play to be suspended at 8:10 p.m. due to darkness. Nordqvist still had three holes to play and a one-stroke lead over Wright thanks to a 15th hole birdie. She returned to the course on Sunday morning at 7:30 and managed to gain another stroke on her lead to end the third round two strokes ahead of Wright.

Nordqvist extended her lead to as much as five after a Wright bogey on hole seven. However the duo would go back-and-forth until Wright evened the score with a birdie on hole 16. However, a bogey on hole 17 gave Nordqvist the one-stroke edge and she sealed the deal landing her 21-degree hybrid to three feet for the birdie on 18. Despite her runner-up finish, Wright was pleased with the week.

"Under that amount of pressure, not being in that position before and in a major and being a rookie? You can't get any better than that," said Wright, who is now ninth on the LPGA Official Money List with nearly $518,000 in season earnings. "The week's been amazing. I played really consistent and held it together mentally and physically, which is something I've not been able to do as well in the past."

Nordqvist attributed her win to strong putting - 101 for the week after rounds of 22, 26, 26 and 27.

"I mean, my putting has been awesome this week. I've been working with PING in the putting lab just trying to get a good roll of the ball," said Nordqvist, who is just the fifth player in tournament history to win the event in their first appearance. "I feel like the last couple weeks, I've been putting well. I mean, obviously making putts gives you confidence and I felt very confident on the greens and I saw the lines. I mean, my putting has just been awesome this week."

Photo source; Zimbio.com (Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

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