Davies shows the rookie how it's done

BY Liz White | ALPG Tour | 2008 Women's NSW Open | Round Three | 27 Jan 2008

Britain’s Laura Davies has served notice to next week’s Australian Open competitors with a two shot victory at today’s warm up tournament, the LG/Bing Lee NSW Open.

The 44-year-old Davies carded a solid five under round of 67 to hold off a determined challenge from pro rookie, Sarah Oh, who shot a two under round of 70 at Sydney’s Oatlands course. Sweden’s Lotta Wahlin finished third with a five under 211 total.

It was a drama packed final round with Oh starting the day a one shot leader over Queenslander Katherine Hull with Davies a further shot back on four under. The 19-year-old had several chances to take the trophy but it was Davies who prevailed, showing her class to the young gun with several clutch saves.

“I think the turning point was when Sarah hit it in close on eleven, and I came up short. I struggled with that hole all week and then I chipped in. She made her birdie putt anyway but I could have easily dropped two shots to her there but I ended up playing the hole in the same amount and that was a big momentum swing,” Davies said.

Describing her effort as 10 out 10, Davies said she was happy with her play but was also impressed with the way Oh hung in like a seasoned professional.

“She played very well she has already won a couple of weeks ago so she knows how to win. You know it doesn’t matter what the tournament is, you are under the pressure of winning a tournament, it doesn’t matter how big or small it is in money ranking and what everyone perceives it to be as important, it is still pressure.”

Oh handled the heat from the get go, opening up her round with a fabulous birdie while Hull bogeyed. It gave Oh a two shot lead after Davies parred the hole. It seemed a fairytale was about to unfold.

But unfortunately for Oh the odd clicking hip struck her on the second tee. The bizarre injury that has plagued her since Q school causes her hip to unexpectedly click in her backswing. As Oh swung the click was audible.

The 19 year-old was forced to pull out of her shot mid swing. It clearly rattled her.

“My hip cracked again,” said a frustrated Oh.

“I was just upset. The first hole it was fine but then it cracked again, I thought I had stretched it enough in the morning but I guess I didn’t.”

“I had to stand back, I got annoyed because under pressure it cracks more on me and I was just like ‘don’t crack the second time,’ and then I just hooked my tee shot left.”

Oh went on to bogey the hole and then the third before steadying with a solid birdie on the short par five fourth.

“After bogeying those holes I just said too bad if it cracks, just hit it.”

Oh then showed the style that made her one of Australia’s leading amateurs and was able to secure several birdies on the way home. Although she was pleased with her second placing, Oh believes she let some chances slip.

“I played a little scrappy today I have to say. I didn’t hit many greens today, I was feeling a bit nervous I think that caused it and my hip but other than that I think I hung in there pretty well considering I didn’t hit it that great,” she said.

“I would have loved to have won but hey, it’s Laura.”

Oh believes the experience of playing in the last group with her all time favourite player, Davies, will only help to improve her game.

“I learned a lot from her about how she recovered her shots when she was in the trees and in the rough and if she hit a bad chip she still recovered with her next shot which today I didn’t do. She was just focussed yet she looks relaxed.”

While Oh was a touch disappointed, spare a thought for her other playing partner, Katherine Hull. The 25 year-old Queenslander was unable to find any rhythm today, and despite getting her card to six under at one stage, she slipped down the leader board to finish in 11th spot on two under 214 for the 54 holes.

Ireland’s Lydia Hall had a good round of two under 70 to finish fourth on a total of four under 212 while one of the UK’s brightest, Melissa Reid rounded out the top five with a brilliant four under round of 68 for a total 213. She tied with the defending champion and Oatlands’s member Joanne Mills who shot a 71 today.

The leading amateur title was jointly shared by Oatlands’s member Jenny Lee and West Australia’s Kristy Smith for a total of two under 214.

And although Queenslander Bronwyn Mullins-Lane didn’t figure on the leader board her bank account was boosted by a hole in one on the 9th. The 29-year-old took the $1000 sponsors prize money plus another $1080 from the players’ hole in one kitty. Not a bad day after all.