September 24 - 27, 2009 San Ramon Valley • Blackhawk CC |
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| You are here: Home > History > 1997 | ||
 1997 Champion Annika Sorenstam |
1997 Sorenstam Edges Kometani in Playoff Raycom Sports LINCOLN, Calif. -- Annika Sorenstam parred the second hole of a playoff today with unknown Pamela Kometani to win the $500,000 Longs Drugs Challenge at Twelve Bridges Country Club. Both players carded pars at the first playoff hole, the par-4 18th, before moving to the par-3 13th, where Kometani bogeyed and Sorenstam parred for her third win of the season, most on the LPGA Tour. She also has a second- and third-place finish to her credit and the first prize of $75,000 boosted her 1997 earnings to $401,551, also tops on the Tour. "I'm so glad I started the year so well," said Sorenstam, who got married in January. "The key is that I love playing golf again. I felt like I was forced to play. "Now I'm back to where I was. I try to enjoy myself on the course. My marriage helped. A lot of pieces of my life are together. Even if I shoot 90, he still loves me -- I hope." It was a bittersweet finish for Kometani, who earned $46,546 in the best showing of her career. The 32-year-old Hawaii native made just $7,280 in 1992 before spending three years on the Players West and Futures Tours. She returned to the LPGA Tour last year and earned only $6,260. "I don't know how much I won," Kometani admitted. "Being the status I am, week after week I try to retain my card. Now I don't need to worry too much." Both players completed 72 holes in 3-under 285. Kometani, who began the round three shots off the pace, fired a 2-under 70 and was the leader in the clubhouse. Sorenstam could have averted a playoff with a birdie at the 18th hole, but she settled for par, a final-round 73 and the playoff. At the 13th, Sorenstam knocked her tee shot on the green and her birdie attempt stopped six inches from the cup before she tapped in for par. Komentani's tee shot missed the green. She chipped within two feet but missed the par putt. "I hit the wrong club," Kometani said. "I hit a choke 5-iron. I hit a 6-iron earlier, but it was too much. I overhit it from the spot I was in." Jan Stephenson and Juli Inkster tied for third at 286. Stephenson shot a 72 and Inkster carded a 73. Both missed birdie putts on the final hole that could have vaulted them into the playoff. Stephenson hasn't won since 1987. Inkster, who is from nearby Los Altos, has 15 career victories but none since 1992. Alicia Dibos shot a 73 for 1-under 287, one shot better than Barb Mucha, who carded a 72. Amy Fruhwirth fired a 4-under 68 -- the only sub-70 round of the day -- and finished tied with Danielle Ammaccapane and Donna Andrews at 2-over 290. |
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