Hur becomes Rolex First-Time Winner

at Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola


19-year-old rookie holds off veterans Pettersen, Redman in two-hole, sudden-death playoff

NORTH PLAINS, Ore. - LPGA Tour rookie player M.J. Hur became the season's fourth Rolex First-Time Winner at the Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola, beating out a pair of LPGA veterans, Suzann Pettersen and Michele Redman. Hur, a player out of South Korea, fired a career-low 65 in the final round of the three-day event to claim her first ever LPGA victory, and the $255,000 winner's paycheck.

Hur (69-69-65=203, -13) arrived at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club's Ghost Creek course Sunday morning four strokes back from the lead. After taking advantage of the day's near-perfect conditions, she recorded the round of her career with an eagle on the par-5, 495-yard 10th hole, and birdies on numbers eight, nine, 11, 12 and 14. Once she finished and signed her scorecard, Hur wasn't sure if she was done for the day quite yet. Turned out she was called back to the 18th tee, along with Pettersen (68-68-67=203, -13) and Redman (67-69-67=203, -13), for a playoff. Hur and Pettersen both saved par on the first playoff hole, while Redman bogeyed, ending her run, and settling for no worse second-place. Once the South Korean, Hur, and the Norwegian, Pettersen, traveled back to the 17th tee to settle this thing once and for all, Hur was left standing in the winner's circle with a big smile on her face.

"It was my goal this year (to win) because I working really hard last winter training with my swing coach," said Hur. "It makes me really, really happy. It helped me a lot."

Before joining the LPGA Tour at the beginning of this season, Hur competed on the Duramed FUTURES Tour in 2008, competing in 17 events and finishing in the top-10 eight times, including a win at the Louisiana Pelican Classic. Finishing fourth on the season-ending money list, she earned membership for the 2009 LPGA Tour season.