Tuesday, July 29, 2008

PLAY-OFF JOY FOR ALFREDSSON

PLAY-OFF JOY FOR ALFREDSSON

Sweden's Helen Alfredsson claimed a record third title at the Evian Masters after a three-way sudden-death play-off in France.

Alfredsson, who won the inaugural title in 1994 before her second victory four years later, had birdied the final two holes for a final-round 67 to join Brazil's Angela Park and South Korean rookie, Na-Yeon Choi, in the play-off on 15 under par.

Extra time was over the par-five 18th and Alfredsson clinched the Ј240,000 title at the third time of asking when she hit the green in two and two-putted for a birdie four at the third extra hole.

Park, who had led going into the final round and closed with a 71, went out when she could only make par at the first extra hole, and 21-year-old Choi missed a six-foot birdie putt that would have extended the contest.

"I'm really getting too old for this," said the 43-year-old, who has now won 19 tournaments worldwide in 19 years as a professional.

It was her 11th win in Europe, but her first since the 2001 WPGA Championship of Europe in Wales.

"I'm thrilled to win again.

"This tournament has always had a special place in my heart ever since I won the first one.

"It is the most beautiful place and I feel I have been so lucky to be invited back every year. It's just great to be a three-time champion."

Alfredsson has been hit by a string of injuries over the years, and she cut back on her tournament play last season when she was the European Solheim Cup captain.

But she showed great form last month with a second place in the US Women's Open.

World number one Lorena Ochoa - who defends the Ricoh Women's British Open at Sunningdale this week - closed with a 68 and was fifth on 12 under par, while two-time winner Annika Sorenstam, in her final Evian Masters before retirement, also shot 68 for seven under.

"It is sad to know I won't be back (playing here again)," admitted Sorenstam.

"But I have good memories and I'm looking forward to new challenges in the future."

Wales' Becky Brewerton had a fine, six-birdie 68 in the final round to move up into a tie for 24th place on five under par.

However, Laura Davies, a two-time winner, had a horror final day 80 and was last of the 70 qualifiers on 13 over par.

Collated final round scores & totals in the LPGA Tour, Evian Masters, Evian Masteres Golf Club, Evian-les-Bains, France

(USA & Kor unless stated, par 72):

273 Helen Alfredsson (Swe) 72 63 71 67 (Alfredsson won after three-hole sudden death play-off), Na Yeon Choi 71 67 69 66, Angela Park (Bra) 66 68 68 71

275 Jin Joo Hong 71 69 68 67

276 Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 65 73 70 68

277 Shi Hyun Ahn 69 69 69 70, Cristie Kerr 70 66 72 69, Hee Young Park 70 69 70 68

278 Paula Creamer 70 69 69 70, Juli Inkster 67 69 69 73

279 Sun Young Yoo 74 68 69 68, Eun Hee Ji 71 71 67 70, In Kyung Kim 68 68 75 68, Candie Kung (Tai) 66 70 67 76

280 Ji-Yai Shin 72 73 68 67, Meena Lee 67 69 73 71

281 Giulia Sergas (Ita) 71 74 70 66, Natalie Gulbis 69 71 72 69, Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 71 69 73 68

282 Young Kim 68 71 74 69, Laura Diaz 67 73 71 71, Suzann Pettersen (Nor) 67 74 69 72, Christina Kim 72 70 73 67

283 Becky Brewerton 72 72 71 68

284 Ya-Ni Tseng 70 70 70 74, Sun Ju Ahn 66 74 73 71, Morgan Pressel 69 72 72 71, Karrie Webb (Aus) 72 75 71 66

285 Momoko Ueda (Jpn) 70 69 74 72, Amy Yang 68 73 70 74, Diana D'Alessio 73 71 71 70, Song-Hee Kim 69 72 74 70, Hye Jung Choi 73 73 74 65

286 Lindsey Wright (Aus) 72 73 69 72, Jimin Kang 71 71 72 72, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 73 69 72 72, In-Bee Park 69 72 74 71

287 Linda Wessberg (Swe) 69 71 74 73, Wendy Doolan (Aus) 77 68 74 68, Teresa Lu (Tai) 71 71 71 74, Angela Stanford 67 72 78 70, Hee-Won Han 72 74 76 65, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 73 70 74 70, Katherine Hull (Aus) 72 72 74 69

288 Ji-Young Oh 70 71 75 72, Pat Hurst 74 73 70 71, Hwa seon Lee 69 75 76 68

289 Se Ri Pak 70 76 70 73, Jane Park 74 74 71 70, Trish Johnson 70 75 71 73, Jeong Jang 74 73 72 70

290 Ai Miyazato (Jpn) 74 72 70 74, Carin Koch (Swe) 73 74 69 74, Sarah Lee 71 73 74 72, Brittany Lang 73 73 73 71, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 72 72 71 75

291 Mhairi McKay (Sco) 72 74 69 76, Karine Icher (Fra) 74 70 72 75

292 Rachel Hetherington (Aus) 75 71 75 71, Meaghan Francella 70 72 76 74, Julieta Granada (Par) 72 73 75 72

293 Mi-Hyun Kim 71 73 73 76, Sherri Steinhauer 72 74 74 73

294 Sophie Giquel (Fra) 71 76 77 70

295 Nicole Castrale 74 74 74 73

296 Minea Blomqvist (Fin) 74 69 76 77

297 Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 72 75 78 72

298 Martina Eberl (Ger) 75 72 78 73

299 Catrin Nilsmark (Swe) 70 73 81 75

301 Laura Davies (Eng) 71 77 73 80


Walk in the park for VfB
NO WALK IN THE PARK FOR BRITONS
MORGAN 25th AS OH CLAIMS PLAY-OFF WIN