After high winds, blowing upwards of 40 mph, wrecked havoc on the players during the final round of the Volunteers of America Shootout presented by JTBC,
72 holes wasn’t enough for Cristie Kerr and Haru Nomura, who played six playoff holes before Nomura finally birdied the par-5 18th to capture the title. At one point during the final round, Nomura, who won twice in 2016, was leading by five.
She was 5-over par on the back nine, however, and her 5-over-par 76 left her tied with Kerr after regulation, who had shot 3-over during Sunday’s blustery finale. Both Kerr and Nomura had a chance to close out the other at some point during the near two-hour playoff, but given the trickiness of the par-5 18th, neither were able to get it done, both parring No.18 five times in a row.
Thanks to a fantastic approach on the sixth extra hole, Nomura finally closed the deal. “I’m so happy to win again. I’m so excited,” said Nomura, who also said that she enjoyed the tough conditions provided by Las Colinas Country Club all week.
Kerr, who is bucking the youth movement trend on the LPGA Tour this year, has a victory and a playoff loss in her last two starts. She said she felt good about where her game is at, but admitted Sunday was a tough day. “I had a great comeback to even get into the playoff,” said Kerr. “I had her on that second playoff hole when I was behind the green, and I just made an error and you can’t do that in playoffs.
You have to take advantage of when you have the chance, and I didn’t do that, so I lost.” Still, Kerr said it was a ‘pretty good week.’ “I played awesome coming in and had a lot of birdie putts that could have gone in on the back (nine),” she said.
Only two golfers – Amy Yang and Eun-Hee Ji – were under par on the day. Jessica Korda was the only other golfer to finish under par for the week, finishing third alone at 1-under. She shot a 2-over-par 73 Sunday. So Yeon Ryu had the best weekend (68-75) of anyone in the field, and moved into the top ten after Sunday (T9). Ryu has not finished outside the top ten yet in 2017.
Michelle Wie, who finished at 3-over after a 5-over-par 76 Sunday, took to Instagram after her round was finished and called the conditions “some of the hardest” she has ever played in.
Eun Jeong Seong, the amateur who was tied for second going into Sunday’s final round, struggled in the wind and ended up with an 15-over-par 86, the highest score recorded on the LPGA Tour in 2017.
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2017.04.30 13:15
2017.04.30 21:43
Flags of Korea and Japan on Nomura's golf bag
2017.05.01 02:33
Yes, I watched the playoff.
Haru looked so calm and relaxed with ready smiles
in contrast to Cristie's tedious complicated routine that
would certainly irritate any opponent.
Haru's long putt for the double bogey on 17th hole,
and the second shot on the final playoff hole
were critical shots for her winning.
The second shot with her 3 wood on the 18th hole reminds me
of the second shot wth 3 wood by Y.E. Yang at the PGA Championship he won
against Tiger Woods.
Haru certainly deserved to win.
In spite of her shorter driving distance her all around
golfing skills and good judgements were the best on such a windy day.
2017.05.01 08:47
Yes! Nomura's deciding 2nd shot at 6th playoff hole was awesome indeed.
Besides you mentioned,there were more deciding last shots I remember in LPGA.
Seri Pak's 2nd shot from rough to make eagle in playoff against Karrie Webb
in LPGA Championship,Brittany Lincicome's 2nd shot for eagle at 72nd hole
in Nabisco Championship then,Karrie Webb's amazing eagle pitching at 72nd
hole in Nabisco Championship ruining the possible Championship for young
teenager Michelle Wie, Mo Martin's almost double eagle-2nd shot in British
Open,and lastly who forget Sei Young Kim's hole out 2nd shot at playoff in
Lotte Championship against Inbee Park? These are examples of several winning
amazing shots in LPGA.
Speaking about Cristie Kerr's overall demeanors in golf course yesterday,I
agree with you and Judy Rankins,who has usually mild manner and hardly
critisizing anybody. She was so slow and so noisy to bother her playing partners
Inbee Park and eventually Haru Nomura by sure.
Thanks for your comments! KJ
2017.05.01 12:33
You have an amazing memory remembering all those great second shots in LPGA.
I certainly remember the chip in and and later the eagle hole out by Sei Young Kim stunning Inbee visibly.
Haru Nomura won Volunteers of America Shootout presented by JTBC in LPGA
after beating Cristie kerr at 6th playoff hole. This is her 3rd LPGA victory.
Haru Nomura(24) is half Korean(문민경) and half japanese,because her mother
is Korean and her father is japanese. She was born in Japan,but she moved
to Korea at age of 5 and she lived in Seoul until she graduated high
school in 2011.
She started to play golf at age of 11 and became pro through LPGA Q
school in 2011 and she selected japanese natioality as a golfer.
She speaks Korean more fluently than japanese and Korean flag and Japanese
flag on her golf bag.
Under extreme adverse condition like high wind,she was playing smart golf
and making clutch putts when she needed like 71st and 72nd hole.
Let us give her big hands! After all she is one of 태극낭자 as well. KJ