Anna Nordqvist wins the LPGA Classic
Anna Nordqvist claimed a one shot victory over after beginning the day three shots back at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, New Jersey.
Two birdies in the final three holes was enough to take the title by a single stroke ahead of Dutch competitor Christel Boeljon.
Nordqvist now has her fifth win on the LPGA Tour but it was a special first win for other reasons: “It’s the first time I’ve won on the LPGA Tour and one of my family members were there with me, so it’s definitely special,” Nordqvist said.
“It’s Mother’s Day in Sweden, so I couldn’t have given her a better present than to spend the day with her.
“I’m just speechless right now. I fought hard today and I can’t believe I’m sitting here with the trophy.”
The 27-year old’s 8-under 205 was underpinned by her superb putting, including a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-4 16th to tie with second place finisher Boeljon.
“I thought I hit a lot of good putts all day,” said Nordqvist. “Just knowing that I hit good putts helped me.
“I hit a real good putt on 16 and even on 17 to give me a little bit of space there at the last. I felt like I played really well and I put myself in a position to win.”
Nordqvist admitted to having difficulty in focussing on the sport after a trophy drought seemed to hinder her approach to the game:
“I try not to think about it now,” said Nordqvist. “But there was a couple of years ago where I thought that I considered doing something else.
” I lost all my passion and heart for the game.
“So I had to make a couple of changes around myself with some people that helped me be positive and helped me stay in the game.
“So my younger brother came out, and that really made a big difference a couple of summers ago.”
“Moments like this are amazing, but there’s a lot of hard work and a lot of grind that people don’t see that goes behind it and if you don’t have the passion and the heart to put in all the hard work on the side, it’s tough.
“I’m fortunate to be able to do what I’m doing, and I’m glad I stuck to it, and just knowing the downs that I’ve had just makes the ups even better now.”
Boeljon – without a win on the LPGA Tour in almost five years – missed the chance to take the tournament to a playoff with a poor putt on the 18th meaning Nordqvist was able to seal the tournament despite making bogey at the last.
“You hope to make the last putt,” said runner-up Boeljon. “But I’m pleased with my week.
“I told my caddy like with four holes to go when we were on 15, I’m like, I’m starting to feel a little nervous right now.
“I think for me it’s a big step.”
Despite her loss, Boeljon is now targeting a spot at the US Open: “I’d like to qualify for the U.S. Open and go from there.
“If not, we have a major coming at the KPMG and I’ll try to do my best there.”
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