Na goes wire-to-wire for Stroke Play win
IN: News | Australian Ladies Amateur | Australian Womens Amateur (2008) | Round Four | 16 Apr 2008
Stephanie Na has blitzed the field to win the 2008 Srixon Women’s Australian Stroke Play Championship from Kristie Smith by seven strokes at Glenelg Golf Club in Adelaide.
In one of the more convincing wins in the championship’s long and esteemed history, the local favourite set a course record 69 in the opening round before equalling it on Wednesday to stamp her authority on the title.
The 18-year old from Port Adelaide was anticipating being among the frontrunners, but even her lofty standards would not have anticipated a triumph with such ease. The victory leaves Na as the number one seed for the Srixon Australian Amateur Match Play beginning on Friday at Royal Adelaide Golf Club.
“I was expecting to finish near the top and starting with a five-under really gave me the momentum to keep going,” Na said.
“I was coming into the event with good form having played well at The Ashes in Melbourne and was very happy with the way I hit it. It’s always good to be the top qualifier but it’s match play and you never know what can happen. It can turn around so quickly, so I just want to concentrate and take it one match at a time.”
Na has the good fortune of playing on home soil this week and has a loyal fan base of family and friends keenly following her progress. Her father Jung Il is caddying and dad and daughter will hope to keep their winning partnership going until Sunday’s 36-hole final.
“I haven’t had a lot of big wins,” Na added. “So it would be amazing to get this prestigious title under my belt.”
Na’s sensational performance somewhat overshadowed a blistering final round from West Australian Kristie Smith. The AIS/National Squad member fired a four-under 69 to equal the new course record and book her spot as the second seed in the match play. Rebecca Flood of New South Wales was third at four-under.
The top 32 women that qualified for the match play have a day off before contesting the sudden death championship at Royal Adelaide Golf Club from Friday.
Source – Golf Australia
