Sharp cards best LPGA result since 2017 season
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA — Canada’s Alena Sharp credits her mental game with her best LPGA finish in nearly two years.
The 37-year-old from Hamilton, shot a 68 on Sunday to finish in a tie for sixth place at the Women’s Australian Open golf tournament, her third best LPGA Tour result and best since she was fifth in Hawaii in 2017.
“I really tried to stay in the moment, one shot at a time, not thinking about outcome, and it really has been a good start to the year for me,” Sharp said. “I worked hard this winter, so it’s nice to show that all the prep that I did is showing in the results … while not even thinking about the results.
“That’s kind of what I was doing a few years ago, so I’m back there mentally, and want to keep doing that the rest of the year,” she said.
Nelly Korda claimed a twostroke victory with a 5-under 67 at The Grange Golf Club, finishing with a 17-under total of 271. Defending champion Jin Young Ko was second after a 64. Jaclyn Lee, of Calgary, finished in a group tied for 22nd.
Sharp had five birdies in the final round to finish at 10 under, playing with a consistency that might have eluded her in previous seasons.
“Golf is definitely a mental game,” she said.
“I feel like if one thing’s going well, then something else isn’t, and that’s been my game the last couple of years.”