Smith cruises to Women's Amateur victory
BY Fred Norks | Australian Ladies Amateur Tour | 2008 Australian Womens Amateur | Grand Final | 20 Apr 2008
West Australia’s Kristie Smith has cruised to a 9&8 victory over Stacey Keating at the 2008 Srixon Australian Women’s Amateur in Adelaide today to join her father, Wayne Smith, on the prestigious Australian Amateur honour roll.
“This is definitely the biggest win of my career. I have never been happier. It’s great to have my name on the trophy as my Dad won the title back in 1983 so it’s really special to be on the trophy with him.”
Smith, who was the top amateur at the 2008 Australian Women’s Open, has been working hard on all facets of her game and today’s result was a fitting end to what has been an exciting year for the 19-year-old.
“It’s definitely been mentally and physically draining this week with the strokeplay and the amateur together.”
“I’ve been working hard on my fitness coming in to the event and I think that really helped me a lot today.”
Smith dominated Keating over the opening 18 holes this morning and went to lunch at 6up with a seemingly unassailable lead.
The in-form West Australian immediately stamped her mark on the first hole of the afternoon match to move to 7up and she didn’t look back from there.
A bogey from Keating at the 28th hole moved Smith to 9up with only eight holes to go – victory was hers.
Smith’s focus is now on the year ahead, where she plans to head overseas before returning to LPGA Tour School at the end of the year.
“After the Queen Sirikit Cup in late May, I’m heading over to the US for three months, which will include playing the US Amateur and the North and South Amateur.”
“I will probably then head to Europe for a couple of events including the British Strokeplay before heading to Tour School at the end of the year.”
