Catriona Matthew loses in playoff at LPGA Hana Bank Championship 2012
Scottish Catriona Matthew fought a nail-biting battle in the three rounds of LPGA Hana Bank Championship 2012, but she let the title slip through her hands. She lost to Norwegian Suzann Pettersen in playoff.
Matthew, who was one of the few veterans in the field of LPGA Hana Bank Championship, held at Ocean Course, Incheon, South Korea, knew how to stave off rivals’ pressure on the course, which she proved by shooting a 68 in the opening round.
Although a 68 was not the best score to start off, the Scottish golfer gained confidence following the second round that saw her fire a 70.
On the other hand, Pettersen looked fired up right from the start of the tournament. She started off with a massive 63 in the opening round on Friday. She kept her momentum going in the second round as well, as she carded a 68.
However, a 74 in the final round tipped the scales in favour of Matthew who capitalised on this opportunity and managed to fire a 67, bringing her overall score to 205.
Pettersen also registered an overall 205, and was forced to move into the playoff with Matthew.
Matthew, who had convinced herself that the victory was impending, faltered on the third extra hole in the playoff and lost to Pettersen. Pettersen sank a birdie-putt to finish off the event.
Commentators said that Scottish star could have put an end to her victory drought, but a few lapses in playoff and the second round got in her way, keeping her from taking full advantage of Pettersen’s mistakes she made on Saturday.
The Norwegian gave Matthew plenty of chances in the third round as she carded two double bogeys and one bogey.
“After I bogeyed 8, I looked at my caddie, I said, if I am going to bogey, I might as well just fire right at the pin. There's no point playing safe. He said, why don't you just play as aggressive as you have all week,” the winner said at the end of playoff on Sunday.
“What are you trying to do? So I might have gone out trying to be a little bit protective, which obviously does not fit my game at all”.
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