Mujeres En El Mundo Del Golf

HSBC LPGA BRASIL CUP 2010

Francella wins second-annual HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2010 in six hole playoff. Meaghan Francella defeated Mariajo Uribe in a six-hole, sudden death playoff to win the HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2010 on Sunday at Itanhanga Golf Club. Francella calmly rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt on the sixth extra hole, the par-3 17th, to claim the $105,000 first-place check and take home her first-ever unofficial money win on the LPGA Tour.

“I just felt really confident in my game today,” said Francella. “I had no expectations coming over here. Obviously I wanted to win, but I was just excited to be over here.”

Playing in the final group with Maria Hjorth, Francella and Uribe were tied at 6-under-par following 36 holes after carding birdies on the 18th hole as Candie Kung, who finished at 5-under-par, waiting nearby hoping to gain entry to a playoff. Francella and Uribe then proceeded to match each other shot-for-shot in the playoff, rotating between the par-5 18th hole and the par-3 17th hole, before Francella’s birdie on the sixth hole sealed the victory.

Francella, who became a Rolex First-Time Winner in 2007 after defeating Annika Sorenstam in a four-hole playoff at the Mastercard Classic Honoring Alejo Peralta Presented by Televisa Deportes. She becomes the second champion of the HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup following Catriona Matthew’s win in 2009.

Uribe delights South American crowd. Mariajo Uribe gained some valuable playoff experience on Sunday at the HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2010. The Colombian, who had the South American crowd on her side all day Sunday, fell short in the six-hole playoff, but remained optimistic. “It was a good day,” Uribe said. “Started a little rough and came back. Good to be in a playoff. Maybe better to lose here and win later.”

Longest playoff in LPGA history. The longest sudden-death playoff in LPGA history was 10 holes at the 1972 Corpus Christi Civitan Open, where Jo Ann Prentice defeated Sandra Palmer and Kathy Whitworth.

Francella talks Rio Olympics 2016. “I think (Itanhanga Golf Club) would be a great Olympic venue,” said Francella. “The golf course is phenomenal.”

Of note… Defending champion Catriona Matthew tied for 13th at 1-over-par… Rolex Rankings No. 9 Angela Stanford and best friend Kristy McPherson each shot 4-under-par 69 on Sunday, the best rounds of the day… Taiwan’s Candie Kung missed a playoff by one-shot. She missed an eagle try on the 36th hole.

LPGA.COM