Lincicome wins 1st major of yr
‘I am still shaking’
RANCHO MIRAGE, United States, April 6, (AFP): Brittany Lincicome claimed her second major championship by parring the third playoff hole at the ANA Inspiration tournament Sunday to defeat fellow American Stacy Lewis.
Lincicome hit a brilliant approach shot on the final extra hole then tapped in to take the first major championship of the 2015 LPGA Tour season and snap an almost fouryear winless drought.
“Super emotional right now,” Lincicome said. “I am standing here shaking like a leaf. It is over and I am still shaking. It is just how nerves get to you.”
Lincicome also won this event in 2009 for her only other major title. She set the table for both victories by making an eagle on the 72nd hole of the tournaments at the Mission Hills Country Club.
Lincicome shot a three-under 69 in the final round to finish tied with Lewis at nine-under 279.
Lewis made a furious charge of her own coming from behind on the back nine to chase down and surpass thirdround leader South Korean rookie Kim Sei-Young. Lewis shot a two-under 70 Sunday.
Morgan Pressel finished solo third at eight-under par while Kim tied for fourth with two others at seven-under, two shots back of the leaders.
Lincicome and Lewis returned to the tee on the par-five 18th for the playoff, not once, but three times.
“Gosh, we played that hole so many times,” said Lincicome, whose last win came at the 2011 Canadian Open. “The first time we played that hole, it was fairly easy, except that I was so far out of this tournament, that I never had a chance.
“So, hitting that five-iron into the hole the first time, was super easy.”
Lewis, who was in the final group, missed a birdie putt to win on the final hole of regulation.
Both missed the fairway with their tee shots on the first playoff hole, and reached the green with their third. Lincicome two-putted for her par, then watched as Lewis’ birdie effort slid by the edge.
It was the same story on the second playoff hole. Both players reached the green in three with Lewis five feet closer and on the same line. Lincicome’s putt narrowly missed on the left edge. Lewis, who won this event four years ago, also just missed her birdie try on the same side.
“It’s getting a little colder and it’s a little bit into the wind out there and the only club I could have hit was threewood and that was going to go over the green, and my wedges have been so good all week that I was kind of hoping I could wedge it up there close and make the birdie then, but I didn’t,” said the longhitting Lincicome about why she didn’t go for the green in two on the second extra hole.
The third time around both players laid up with their second shots, but Lewis’ ball landed in a divot. She came up short of the green with her approach then Lincicome dropped her approach inside 10 feet. Lewis then bungled her chip shot.
Lewis missed again as her par effort came up short. Lincicome’s birdie try slid by the edge, but she tapped in for par and the win. Holmes said.
Holmes started the day six shots adrift of overnight leader Spieth and surged up the leaderboard with seven birdies in his first nine holes — nine of his first 12. He had just one bogey in an eight-under 64, then waited for almost two hours before he was joined on 16-under 272 by Wagner and Spieth.
Spieth closed with a 70 while Wagner, playing on a sponsor’s exemption, made just the third birdie of the day at the Golf Watson hails youth skills champs: Defending Masters champion Bubba Watson was among the past green jacket winners to greet youth players Sunday at the second annual Drive, Chip and Putt finals at Augusta National.
South Africa’s Gary Player, Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal and American Mark O’Meara were among the others who watched eight children’s age-group champions crowned on the eve of the first official practice for next week’s Masters tournament. More than 80,000 youth from US and Canadian cities entered and advanced from local, sectional and regional events to become among the 80 who reached Augusta National. Club of Houston’s tough 18th hole to cap a 69 and join the playoff.
The trio returned to 18, where Holmes and Wagner were in the fairway but Spieth’s shot off the tee rolled down the bank toward the water hazard. Almeria sack coach Martinez: La Liga strugglers Almeria have sacked coach Juan Ignacio Martinez after just four months in charge.
The Andalusians were thrashed 4-1 at home by relegation rivals Levante 4-1 on Saturday to leave them rooted in the relegation zone.
“Almeria have decided to sack Juan Ignacio Martinez as the club’s first team coach as a result of the teams recent results,” said a statement on the club’s website. Martinez was only hired in December
Holmes’s second shot left him a long birdie attempt and he two-putted for par, while Wagner got up and down for par from a bunker.
Spieth’s awkward second shot left him in a bunker and he was eliminated after his predecessor Francisco had also been sacked. The former Levante and Valladolid boss managed five wins in 17 games in charge, but Almeria hadn’t won in their last seven games stretching back to early February.
Youth team coach Miguel Rivera will take temporary charge of the team as he did for the 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid earlier in the campaign.
The club also face being hit with the deduction of three points by FIFA for failing to pay transfer fees owed to foreign clubs, although Almeria are appealing that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (AFP)
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