With wind and rain attacking the Ironhorse course all weekend, Sunday’s sunshine was a welcome surprise. Leading by two strokes in the morning, Stacy Prammanasudh took control of the Franklin American Mortgage Championship and never gave it back.
Challenging Stacy throughout the final round was Lorena Ochoa, who received her first LPGA victory at this event last year. The Mexican sensation could not compete with Stacy, who hit all but four fairways this entire week, also hitting over 90% of greens in regulation. Returning to Tennessee after a 3rd place finish at last year’s event, Stacy managed back-to-back birdies on six and seven and again at the 16th and 17th holes with only one early bogey to finish with a 3-under 69.
Stacy was congratulated by her caddie dad, her husband, and a champagne dousing by fellow players. When asked how Stacy felt, she bubbled, “I cant even describe it! I worked so hard for it! With these top competitors, I’m just glad I finished on top!”
Prammanasudh and Ochoa have competed head-to-head prior to meeting on the LPGA Tour. Ochoa was ranked number one in college with 12 collegiate titles in two seasons and Prammanasudh in second position won 10 events in her four year college stint.
Although Lorena ended with a birdie finish today and played consistenly thoughout the tournament, it was Stacy P. who pushed ahead going fairways to greens, using short irons to set up birdies and pars. A spinning wedge shot from over 20 feet at the 17th secured not only a birdie for Stacy but also the win. Ochoa kept missing birdie opportunities with a lip-out at the 8th following up with blips at the 10th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes.
Catriona Matthew (71), a shoo-in for this year’s European Solheim Cup Team, tied for third place with Cristie Kerr and Christina Kim. Kerr (68) receives her third top-ten finish this season with today’s leaderboard placement. With only one bogey in the front nine, Kerr managed three birdies on 14, 16 and 18 to make a challenge but it was too little too late as Stacy wasn’t giving an inch.
Christina Kim, all in red today, surprised the crowd with her phenomenal final nine hole play. Starting poorly, with 4 bogeys in the front nine, Christina rebounded with birdies on 5 out of 9 holes.
Australians Rachel Hetherington and Karrie Webb finished in a tie for 6th place. Hetherington started the day with back-to-back birdies and a strong back nine to card a 67. Webb played a safe and uneventful round finishing strong with birdies on 16 and 17. Karrie will be one of the few top players not in attendance at this year’s Michelob Ultra Championship next week. Heather Bowie, also tied for 6th, used her second round 66 to keep her in a top-ten spot.
Stacy P. also received 100 points in the State Farm LPGA Bonus Pool for her victory. Lorena Ochoa maintains the lead in points because of her second place finish today.
Pos Player Today Tot R1 R2 R3 R4 1 Stacy Prammanasudh -3 -14 70 70 65 69 2 Lorena Ochoa -2 -11 71 68 68 70 3 Cristie Kerr -4 -9 70 69 72 68 T4 Christina Kim -3 -9 71 70 69 69 T4 Catriona Matthew -1 -9 72 71 65 71 T6 Rachel Hetherington -5 -4 71 74 72 67 T6 Karrie Webb -1 -4 76 65 72 71 T6 Heather Bowie E -4 74 66 72 72 9 Jeong Jang +2 -3 74 67 70 74 10 Grace Park +3 -2 70 71 70 75
Photo Credit: © AP.