Sun Young Yoo records first major victory
Sun Young Yoo stunned the spectators in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, as she won her first major LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) title after beating I.K. Kim in the playoffs.
Yoo played a steady game right from the beginning of the $2 million major tournament, outcompeting giants like the current world number one Yani Tseng and Paula Creamer.
The last round’s battle entered into an even tougher phase when the runner-up Kim found a chance to win the event. Both Yoo and Kim were standing at 69 at the end of the final round.
However, Kim could not make the much-needed putt on regulation. Yoo capitalised on the opportunity and drained an 18-foot birdie putt on the first hole in the playoff.
Yoo appeared solid in the fourth round, as she carded a 69 by shooting 5 birdies. She kicked off the round in an amazing style and shot her first birdie on the first hole.
Other key players like Yani Tseng faltered in the last round, which provided enough room for Kim and Yoo to move ahead.
Tseng’s performance worsened in the third round, as she registered a 71. The Taiwanese prodigy was playing a steady game until the second round, which helped her stand atop the leaderboard with a considerable lead.
The fourth round was even more challenging for the current world number one, as she posted an unimpressive 73 to settle for the third spot on the leaderboard.
Tseng was the hot favourite for the major championship, as she has already racked up 3 LPGA titles in the current season so far.
On the other hand, Yoo kept the pressure on her competitors by showing a consistent performance throughout the tournament.
She cheered the spectators when she reeled off a birdie on the difficult par-3 fifth hole.
On the back nine, Yoo produced an even more calculated game, as she recorded 3 birdies and avoided making bogeys.
Speaking to the media after hoisting the first major title, Yoo said she did not expect to perform so well. She said that she found it hard to beat Kim, given her explosive putting abilities.
“She's a great putter," Yoo said of Kim. "She usually doesn't miss that kind of putt, but ... in sports, you never know what's going to happen".
Tags: