Smith primed for maiden US Amateur win

BY Liz White | US Womens Amateur Tour | 2008 North and South Women's Amateur | Semi-Finals | 20 Jul 2008

Kristie Smith is on track to win her first US Amateur title when she takes on Chelsea Curtis in the final of the prestigious North and South tomorrow.

All week the young West Australian has played outstanding golf and today she scorched a three under round to defeat Blair Lamb 3 & 2 at the Pinehurst No 2 course in North Carolina. There is no doubt this course suits Smith bombing style of play and the 19-year-old said she is primed for a big finish tomorrow.

“I would love to have a major US Amateur title under my belt before I turn pro,” she said.

“After this tournament I am flying home so I may as well go all the way.”

Smith again played a patient waiting game, and despite being down one after Lamb birdied the par four 5th Smith played the mind games to perfection and hit back on the next hole to get the match back to square.

“It was important to win that, because we were both hitting it pretty good,” she said.

Smith then went on a birdie blitz on holes 8 & 9 leaving Lamb in her wake at the turn with a 2 up lead.

“I did the same on nine today as I did yesterday,” she said.

“Today I put it to one foot so I definitely know what club to use on that hole.”

Yesterday, Smith’s ball plugged on the green, just one inch from the pin.

Both Lamb and Smith halved the following few holes until they reached the 13th. Lamb stuck her iron to within 15 feet while Smith was a makeable 10 feet from the hole.

“I just really concentrated on that putt because I knew if I could sink it, it would be game over,” she said.

“3 up is a pretty good lead and puts pressure on your opponent to make birdies.

“Both Stace (caddy) and I read it really well and she missed hers so I went to three up.”

There was also some extra determination in that putt Smith said. She was keen to defeat Lamb who had earlier knocked out fellow Australian, Stacey Keating in the third round on the 20th hole.

“It was pretty good to do that, get one back for Stace,” she said.

Smith, describing her round as “pretty damn good,” said she felt much better today and puts it down to a changed routine.

“I got up earlier this morning, when I woke up today, I really woke up if you know what I mean and I think I was just less tired for today’s round,” she said.

“Yesterday I was pretty tired; it’s been a long week. I had a nap after my match today so I am just taking it easy before tomorrow.”

The tournament’s fourth seed will need all the rest she can get. Tomorrow’s final against Georgetown’s Chelsea Curtis will be fought over 36 holes.

The 27th seed has also had an exhausting week having won four of her matches in playoffs. Today she didn’t need the extra holes and easily accounted for an out of sorts 7th seed Cindy LaCrosse 5 & 4.

LaCrosse carded too many bogeys on the front nine to give Curtis a promising 2 up lead at the turn.

She then had two more bogeys on nine and ten leaving Curtis pressure-free pars to claim the holes and a commanding four up advantage.

It was a frustrating day for the Louisville University student who just couldn’t get anything going. A five footer for birdie on the thirteenth missed the cup while Curtis sunk her 12-footer and with it any chance of a LaCrosse victory.

Both girls parred the 14th leaving Curtis the victor with a convincing 5 & 4 win.

Curtis would be aware she only needed two birdies today for the win and knows she will have to be at her best to defeat an on-song Smith.

Smith has shot sub par rounds every match and has warned Curtis she will have to contend with a little Aussie niggle before tomorrow’s match.

“We’ve got the Aussie flag tattoos ready, me, Stace and Steph (Na) are all putting them on our cheeks, so it should be a bit of fun,” she said.

Wearing her serious hat, though, Smith said she will just take the same approach into tomorrow’s match as she has all week.

“Just play my own game, wait for my birdie opportunities on the par fives,” she said.

“I know absolutely nothing about my opponent which I think is a good thing. She is obviously a good player but what I have learnt this week is that I am as good as these girls if not better, so that gives me some confidence.”