Scandinavian TPC title goes to Amy Yang
IN: News | Ladies European | Scandinavian TPC hosted by Annika (2008) | Round Three | by Bruce Young | 11 Aug 2008
Despite a missed cut at last week’s Women’s British Open, 19-year-old Amy Yang has again displayed why she is considered by so many to be a future star of women’s golf by winning the Scandinavian TPC Championship hosted by Annika by a massive six shots.
Yang’s final round of 63 at the Frösåker Golf and Country Club west of Stockholm, which even included an early bogey, earned the Korean a third Ladies European Tour title and her second of the season and moves her to back to third position on the New Star Money List with €183,000.
Yang has only limited status on the LPGA Tour after a disappointing Tour School in Florida last year and as a result has played in only six LPGA events but it has been in Europe where she has shined in 2008. Not only has Yang now won her second title of the season – after an earlier victory in Germany – she has another five top tens to her name.
A visit from her coach Gold Coast based David Nable during last week’s Women’s British Open has yielded dividends. “I missed the cut there but we had more time to practise and get better,” said Yang today.
“I didn’t think I would win this tournament. After the first round I hit four hazards and it wasn’t a good round. I wanted to just enjoy the day today. I played so good.”
Even that might be somewhat of an understatement as, after that early birdie at the 2nd left her five shots behind the lead, Yang started a run of seven birdies in the next ten holes and was in charge. Just to make sure, Yang birdied the final three holes and won by six over Minea Blomqvist, Melodie Bourdy, Maria Hjorth and Lill Saether.
While she is often talked up as one of the future greats of the game, Yang is quick to put a lid on any such speculation.
“Everyone wants to be the number one golfer, don’t they, like Annika did. I’m not looking at that now. This year I’m trying to get more experience. In five years maybe I can go for it.”
Yang will again return to the LPGA Tour School later this year although the manner in which she is playing it might just be that she earns her way there earlier.
Annika Sorenstam said goodbye to the event she has helped create when she added a final round of 72 to finish in a share of 6th.
“It’s emotional in a different way,” said Sorenstam referring to her last appearance in this event and comparing it to her farewell last week at the Women’s British Open.
“I didn’t finish on a very high note so it takes the life out of you a little bit. The support has been great and it’s been nice to have all the family and friends here. We are going to have a nice dinner tonight and that might be more emotional than out here.”
Nikki Garret was the best of the Australasians in 13th position, Leah Hart was 19th, Karen Lunn 28th, promising New Zealand rookie Sarah Nicholson 30th and Kristie Smith , making her professional debut finished 40th, having staged a great recovery from her opening round of 78.
