Kim playoff win denies Gulbis first victory
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2006 Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic | Wrap | 17 Jul 2006
Natalie Gulbis is one of the young American golfers who have, to a large extent, been responsible for the resurgence in interest in the LPGA Tour. Gulbis had yet to win on the LPGA Tour entering this week but there had been several close calls.
Today was Gulbis’ best opportunity yet to open her winning account, sharing the lead entering day four and then moving four ahead of her nearest rival, Mi Hyun Kim, with five consecutive birdies between the third and the seventh holes. Kim fought back with consecutive birdies to finish her front nine and so the difference was just two as the pair headed for home. Both players birdied the 10th hole but at that point the run of birdies came to a grinding halt for the 23-year-old Gulbis.
Kim added further birdies at the 16th and 17th and when the American was unable to take advantage of the consecutive par fives at the 17th and 18th, they headed in to extra time.
Kim was a six time winner on the LPGA Tour and had the advantage of having been there before and succeeded whereas Gulbis carried the extra pressure of her first win being that close.
It would be the Korean who would claim victory at the third extra hole denying Gulbis that inevitable victory which will now have to wait.
One shot further back was yet another of the current young stars of the LPGA Tour, Paul Creamer, who matched the last round scores of both Kim and Gulbis with a 65. Creamer birdied four of the last five holes but not the par five last which would have given her a place in the playoff.
The best of the Australians was Rachel Hetherington, who struggled today on a golf course where she has often played well. Still it was another good week for the Queenslander, who, after a slow start to the year, seems to be finding the form she is capable of.
Lindsey Wright was 32nd, Michelle Ellis 44th and Nadina Light 73rd.
The LPGA Tour now has a one week break before heading to Europe for the Evian Masters and the British Open.
