Hand it to Cristie
American sinks monster putt to bag Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia title
Cristie Kerr held her nerve to roll in a superb birdie from 35 feet on the last hole to clinch a dramatic one-shot win at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. The American closed with an even-par 71 at the TPC Kuala Lumpur to fend off the challenges of Feng Shanshan of China and compatriots Jacqui Concolino and Danielle Kang. Kerr finished on 15-under 269 for her 20th US LPGA Tour title. “What a way to win. I always said I wanted to get a win in my 40s and I got it pretty quick,” said Kerr, who turned 40 on Oct 12.
AMERICAN Cristie Kerr held her nerve to roll in a superb birdie from 35 feet on the last hole to clinch a dramatic one-shot victory at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
Kerr, who went into yesterday’s final round with a one-shot lead, closed with an even-par 71 at the TPC Kuala Lumpur to fend off the challenges of Feng Shanshan (71) of China and compatriots Jacqui Concolino (67) and Danielle Kang (66).
Kerr finished on 15-under 269 for her 20th US LPGA Tour title.
“What a way to win. I always said I wanted to get a win in my 40s and I got it pretty quick,” said Kerr, who turned 40 on Oct 12.
Kerr picked up the US$270,000 (RM1.14mil) top prize to become the third player in LPGA Tour history after Annika Sorenstam of Sweden and Australian Karrie Webb to surpass the US$19mil (RM80.6mil) mark in career earn- ings. She has now collected US$19,142,286 (RM81.2mil) since joining the LPGA Tour in 1997.
The championship looked set to be heading for a first playoff in its eight-year history when Kerr bogeyed the 17th hole to fall into a four-way lead at 14-under with playing partner and title-holder Shanshan, Concolino and Danielle.
Concolino and Danielle had earlier completed their rounds and were waiting anxiously at the clubhouse.
But Kerr rose to the occasion when it mattered most. One of the finest putters on the Tour, Kerr calmly drained the monster birdie putt at the par-four hole to emerge champion.
She was so confident of victory that she punched her right fist in the air even before the ball went into the cup.
“When it went in, I was speechless. That’s probably the longest putt I’ve ever made to win a tournament,” said Kerr.
“I was so determined all day. Things were just not going my way, but I stuck it out,” added Kerr.
Kerr also set a record, for being the oldest LPGA Malaysia win- ner. South Korean Kang Ji-min was 30 when she won the inaugural tournament in 2010.
Winnie Ng was the best-placed Malaysian, finishing 64th in the 78-woman field.