Hurst gets reward for recent near misses
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2006 Safeway Classic | Wrap | 21 Aug 2006
Despite a late bogey herself Pat Hurst held on to win her first event in nearly twelve months when she won the Safeway Classic presented by Pepsi at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Oregon by one shot over Jeong Jang and the fast finishing Kim Saiki.
Although she has not won in 2006 until this week, Hurst has played well, her playoff loss to Annika Sorenstam at the US Women’s Open a reflection on that. She was also runner up at the Franklin Mortgage event and third in last week’s CN Canadian Open so her win was not exactly a surprise.
This was just the 37-year-old’s fifth win in eleven years but she has been a regular and consistent performer.
40-year-old, Saiki, who possesses a fine golf swing but whose performances have not indicated as much has had only one top twenty all season so this for her was quite a significant result. She was unable to get the one last birdie she needed to apply even further pressure to Hurst who was playing in the group behind but she will be pleased with her best result in some time.
Jeong Jang had moved very much in contention to win with eight holes to play but a bogey at her 12th hole and the inability to convert chances over the closing holes cost her. She continues her great season however this being her tenth top ten and her second runner up placing in addition to her win at the Wegmans LPGA event.
Karrie Webb was the best of the Australians putting together a brilliant last round of 66 on a demanding golf course which had included an outward nine of 30. The momentum slowed somewhat of the way in but she moved up 49 places with her final day effort.
Lindsey Wright had another good week although she let a good chance to do even better slip after making a good start to her final round. Her round of even par 72 saw her finish in 18th place.
Rachel Hetherington was 37th and Michelle Ellis 60th.
The LPGA now heads to Ohio for the Wendy’s Championship for Women.
