Prammanasudh captures Fields Open
STACY Prammanasudh completed a wire-to-wire victory in the Fields Open in Kapolei, Hawaii, today, holding off Lee Jee-young from Korea to record the second LPGA title of her career.
The American, who had previously won the 2005 Franklin American Mortgage Championship, recorded a four-under-par 68 in the final round to win the $US1.2 million ($1.52 million) tournament by one shot.
“I think it’s definitely more bittersweet than the first,” Prammanasudh said.
“The first kind of came upon me by surprise.
“I wasn’t expecting to win so early.
“And then you
know you put in a lot of hard work to try to get that second one.
“I’m definitely glad that I played well enough to come out on top today.”
Prammanasudh, 27, was among the players who completed the second round before the three-hour rain delay yesterday that forced 70 golfers to return to the course early today.
She started the final round tied for the lead with Angela Park from Brazil and one shot in front of Lee, both of whom had to finish the second rounds today.
Prammanasudh said she had treated the fact that she had not completed the second round today as a mixed blessing.
“I didn’t have a feel for the course when I first stepped out there,” she said while admitting that she was fresher than her chief rivals when she finally did tee off.
“Jee Young is a long ball striker and I knew she would have an advantage on par fives.
“Luckily I just got a couple of birdies early and put the pressure on.”
Prammanasudh recorded five birdies and one bogey in the first 13 holes before closing out her round with par at the final five holes.
Lee meanwhile recorded four birdies in finishing second, three shots clear of Park (71), Ai Miyazato from Japan (66) and 18-year-old American Morgan Pressel (69).
Wendy Doolan finished best of the Australians in the field.
She closed with a 70 to finish five shots off the pace.
Karrie Webb was another five shots back after closing with a 71.
Agence France-Presse