Matthew insists she has ‘things to work on’

Catriona Matthew has “things to work on” before resuming her 2017 campaign in the Kia Classic in California later this month, writes Martin Dempster.

The Scottish No 1 completed her first phase of the new season by finishing joint-30th behind Korea’s Inbee Park in the HSBC Women’s Champions event in Singapore.

It followed a missed cut in the Australian Women’s Open then Matthew fighting back from an opening 84 to finish in a tie for 45th in the Honda LPGA Thailand event.

“Good for the start of the year,” said the 47-year-old of her latest effort, having signed off with a 73 for a sixunder-par 282 total. “But I’ve got some things to work on during my couple of weeks off before going to the States.”

Park will be heading to California, where the season’s opening major, the ANA Inspiration, takes place just after the Kia Classic, in buoyant mood after the former world No 1 claimed a one-shot success at Sentosa Golf Club.

A closing eight-under 64 saw her finish on 19-under, one shot clear of her playing partner and world No 2, Ariya Jutanugarn (66). Sung Hyun Park (68) was third, a further shot back, while overnight leader Michelle Wie dropped back into a tie for fourth after a 72. “My putting was amazing today, obviously,” said Park. “I couldn’t make any putts yesterday and obviously I made up for it today. Pretty much everything I looked at, it wanted to drop in.”

Elsewhere, Welshman Jack Davidson won the Spanish Amateur Championship after beating England’s Marco Penge by 4&3 in the 36-hole final at El Saler. Davidson, conqueror of Balmore’s Christopher Maclean in the first round, was two down after 14 holes in the morning before turning the tide his way following a strong start after lunch.