Hee Won Han edges out Lorie Kane at Safeway

BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2004 Safeway Classic | Wrap | 20 Sep 2004

In her twenty second start of the season, Korean, Hee Won Han, finally did what she has threatened to do for most of 2004, namely to win. Three top tens in her last six starts had her getting closer to her first win of the season but in order for her to do so, she needed to edge out Canadian Lorie Kane at the Safeway Classic.

Now in her fourth year on tour, the 26-year-old won her third LPGA Tour event following her two wins in 2003. The 2001 Rookie of the Year, who won that honour via non-exempt status that year, has now once again moved inside the top ten on the money list with earnings of US$695,000.

Han outlasted the classy Canadian Lorie Kane at the first extra hole with Kane recording her 17th runner up placing on the LPGA Tour. Han holed a birdie from four feet at the par four, first extra hole. Her approach was an almost exact replica of her second shot at the 72nd hole of the tournament but this time she knocked it close and made the putt from five feet to either put Kane out of her misery, or extend it, depending on which way you view that many runner up finishes.

Taiwan’s Candie Kung agonisingly four putted the last hole today to slip from a share of the lead to eventually finish in a share of fourth behind the playoff pair and Grace Park who was third alone. It was a heartbreaking moment for Kung who had led for so much of the tournament only to lose it at the last hurdle. A win for Kung would have rounded off a fine run of form of late including a last start third in Tulsa but it was not to be.

Sharing fourth with Kung were Annika Sorenstam and perhaps a surprise in Kristal Parker Manzo. Manzo has played fourteen events this season with a best placed finish of 53rd so to say the least this was an unexpected, but no doubt pleasant surprise for her.

The best of the Australians was Karrie Webb, whose 10th placing was her best finish in eight starts since her win at the Kellogg Keebler Classic in June. It may be that the off course issues that forced her withdrawal from the Evian Masters are now behind her.

Michelle Ellis recorded just her third top twenty of the season when 15th, Shani Waugh was 41st, Katherine Hull and Loraine Lambert 53rd and Joanne Mills 62nd.

The LPGA Tour now heads to California for the longs Drugs Challenge.