Feb. 7, 2005 – Korean Bo Bae Song narrowly avoided a remarkable collapse with a clutch birdie putt at the final hole to win the $30,000 first prize at the Samsung Ladies Masters at Laguna National Golf & Country Club in Singapore.
The 18-year-old struggled to a final round three over par 75 as the pressure mounted approaching her maiden win on the Robe di Kappa Ladies European Tour. Despite leading by five shots at the start of the final day, she eventually stole the title by a shot from Swede Charlotta Sörenstam, who had a one under par 71 on a windy day in the Republic.
A shot further back and rueing a few missed putts was England's Laura Davies, who conceded she was playing for second place yesterday having started the final day seven shots behind. Davies carded a 70, two shy in the end, and shared third spot with Kiwi Lynnette Brooky.
Song began the day with a sparkling first tee shot, while her playing partners Sörenstam and fellow Korean Mi Ye Na both missed the fairway. The confidence was there from the Korean, but Sörenstam closed the gap by two shots at the turn thanks to birdies at the fourth and sixth holes.
Song was out of sorts, dropping shots at the fifth and sixth. Despite a brief recovery with consecutive birdies at the seventh and eighth holes, she dropped another at the ninth, giving the field hope of a collapse.
However, the Korean LPGA Player of the Year, rookie of the year and two time winner in 2004 showed more nerves and inexperience with dropped shots at the 12th and 14th but the Swede could not take full advantage as she bogeyed the 13th in what was becoming a comedy of errors.
But fortunes were set to change as Sörenstam birdied the 16th and made a gritty par at the notorious par three 17th hole, a fearsome shot over a huge lake here with a pin tucked in the back right corner. Song could do no better than a bogey four after finding the bunker and the pair went down the last hole tied on nine under par.
Sörenstam played her approach to the 18th first and applied the pressure, leaving an 18-foot putt for birdie. Song responded with her approach to no more than 6-feet. The Swede's putt agonisingly stopped a foot short on the slick-putting surface, while Song, taking her time, slotted the winning putt.
Song now has an opportunity to join the Robe di Kappa Ladies European Tour and receive a full category three exemption through to the end of the season in 2008.
"Today was just a really tough round, as I said earlier this week, it's really tough to play well for all three days of the tournament," said Song. "I played so well over the first two days that I was worried going into today would be really tough. Overall, I was a bit shaky. Luckily, I was able to make the shot that counted to win the tournament and that was enough to get the job done.
"The putt was very similar to a putt that I had when I won a tournament in Korea last year, so perhaps fate gave me a similar putt to win here.
"I didn't know about the opportunity to join the LET before the event but I heard about it yesterday, so I knew I could qualify. I have a really great opportunity now by winning this event and I'd like to play some of the more major events for sure.
"For the other tournaments, it's not really hit me where they are or where I can play. However, again, it's a great opportunity and I'd really like to test myself against some of the best players in the world."
Sörenstam was naturally disappointed after not taking advantage. "She gave it to me at one point and I just didn't take it," said the Swede, whose consolation was a glut of points for The Solheim Cup rankings, where she now lies in 16th place.
"I'm a little frustrated as I didn't take advantage of her play. It was my first time in the last group for a while and there was a lot of people who made a lot more noise than I wanted them to at times so it took me a while to get into the mood!
"I got a few Solheim points today. I know I'm far away but it's such a great event, I'd love to play in it and I believe that I can contribute as a team member."
Davies was disappointed with her putting in the final round, but looked forward to next week's Women's World Cup of Golf in South Africa to join compatriot Karen Stupples, the Weetabix Women's Open champion in the 20-team tournament.
"I just didn't make as many putts as I should have," said Davies. "I made about three good putts all day and I had a great chance for eagle on the 15th and I don't know how that putt didn't go in. That might have given me the chance for a playoff.
"But I'm going down to the World Cup in South Africa next week and I'm playing well. I've not hit a bad tee shot all week long, I've finished in third place and got some Solheim Cup points and I'm sure Karen (Stupples) will be a lot happier about that.
"I don't think she would have been too happy if I'd turned up after not playing for eight weeks. It's the sort of format where we don't want to let each other down and I'm glad I'm going in there playing well."
And Brooky, who will also team up at the Women's World Cup of Golf with Gina Scott, was frustrated at not taking the chances here on Sunday, but leaves for South Africa tomorrow in fine form.
"It was a great week here, I've played well, I'm a little disappointed with my putting in the final round, but this was a great warm up for next week.
"I pretended it was already next week! I was playing against Laura during the final round and we tied together I didn't win and I didn't lose, so it was really good practice!"
Anne-Marie Knight and Jane Leary finished the next best of the Australasians in a tie for 9th place with Joanne Mills in 25th place at +3.
Source: LET
