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Kraft Nabisco LPGA 2009 Ends |
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Written by Pat Krause
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Monday, 06 April 2009 |
 Sunday, April 5, 2009
Mission Hills Country Club
Rancho Mirage, California
Story and photos by Pat Krause
For more Pat Krause photos of the Kraft Nabisco LPGA, click here.
The Kraft Nabisco LPGA championships had a great finish this year. What an up-and-down chance for a victory by three American women. The tournament was held between March 30 and April 5. Palm Sunday was the final day of the tournament held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Even in this economic slump the crowds were large, although many things were missing this year, including vendors and other amenities. The tournament was scaled back in the wake of the media looking at spending by the large companies.
During the week, the leader board held various leaders. Cristie Kerr was considered a favorite on Saturday because of her experience. She almost proved them right until she drove a ball out of bounds and created a double bogie. She rebounded to tie with the leader. Kristy McPherson held the lead a couple times but fell back with some bogies. It seems the putter had the upper hand again.
Cristina Kim is such an animated golfer. She would turn her body to try to work the ball on its path to the green. On the 18th hole, she was jumping up and down and running around the green trying to see if her ball made the hole. It's fun to watch her, and the crowd certainly enjoyed her. When she left the 18th green, the crowd roared, and she threw her ball into the stands for some lucky fan to catch.
Another fan favorite was Michelle Wie, who had her own disappointment with her putter. She started the final rounds at the bottom but worked her way up a couple places. She has always done well here, but this was not her year to compete with the top players.
Last year's winner, Lorena Ochoa, fell short being eight strokes back tied for 12th. She has a large fan base and is a huge celebrity in her home country of Mexico. Palm Desert's favorite golfer, local Nicole Castral, finished with her best showing at the Kraft Nabisco tournament, as she tied for 25th. She said her putter failed her, but her driver was working well. Former winners Karrie Webb and Pat Hurst tied with a 288, seven strokes back.
The 18th hole was the most exciting event of the day. Birdies, double bogies and lots of pars made the leader board change hands a lot. It kept the scorekeeper on the 18th green busy changing the leader's name and the scores. The 18th hole is so tricky. Long ball strikers can make the green in two.
Both McPherson and Kerr laid up, but long-ball hitter Brittany Lincicome made the green in two and ended up only a few feet from the pin. Kerr made her chip shot close to the pin for another short putt. McPherson made the green with her chip shot but was left with a long putt that barely missed the hole, which kept her at 8-under-par. Kerr made her birdie putt that put her at 8-under-par also. which could have been a three-way playoff.
 Lincicome made her eagle putt to put her one stroke ahead of the other two for a screaming finish. She said she was trying to breath slow, singing and anything else to calm her nerves. She said she was shaking and nervous. The feeling when the ball went into the hole was indescribable. She was visibly shaken and seemed ready to cry.
 Lincicome made the famous leap into Poppies Pond with her caddie and her father.
It is not a heated pond, and she said it was extremely cold. She was given the white robe that each winner is receives after the dip. She was awarded a painting by Graeme Baxter, A diamond ring and a large silver trophy. Photographers and TV crews recorded the whole event.
For more Pat Krause photos of the Kraft Nabisco LPGA, click here.
For more about the Kraft Nabisco LPGA tournament, click here.
For more about Brittany Lincicome, click here.
For more about Mission Hills Country Club, click here.
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Pat Krause |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 06 April 2009 )
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